1914 – Viribus Unitis
Napalm Records
10,0/10,0
Brief:
Ukrainian blackened death/doom metal formation 1914 return with unrelenting force on their fourth studio album, Viribus Unitis, Latin for “With United Forces.” Far more than a historical reference to the personal motto of Franz Joseph I of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the title reflects the band’s resilience through war, loss, and upheaval – a powerful symbol of survival and solidarity. Releasing on November 14, 2025 via Napalm Records, Viribus Unitis builds on the band’s acclaimed conceptual approach, pushing even deeper into emotional and musical intensity.
Continuing their chronicle of World War I, 1914 shift their focus slightly, from the raw portrayal of death and destruction to themes of camaraderie, endurance, and the emotional landscapes of those who endured the horrors. While previous releases like The Blind Leading the Blind (2018) and Where Fear and Weapons Meet (2021) centered on the futility and finality of war, Viribus Unitis explores the human bonds forged under fire and the strength of those who returned: broken, changed, yet still
alive.
Musically, 1914 remain true to their identity – brutal mixture of blackened death metal, slow-burning doom, and ambient war soundscapes. This time, however, their sound gains a broader dynamic range, with soaring melodic leads, orchestral textures, and haunting clean vocals that provide dramatic contrast to the crushing heaviness. One of the album’s highlights is a collaboration with Aaron Stainthorpe (ex-My Dying Bride, High Parasite) on “1918 Pt. 3: ADE (A Duty to Escape),” whose mournful voice adds a solemn, almost liturgical quality to this elegy of grief and brotherhood on the
front lines.
Viribus Unitis deepens 1914’s commitment to historical authenticity, both lyrically and conceptually. Told through real events and personal accounts of a Ukrainian soldier in the K.u.K. army, the album traces a timeline from 1914 to 1919, painting a grim journey through the war’s rise, climax, and hollow
aftermath.
From the brooding opener “War In” to the bleak closer “War Out (The End?)”, each track captures a moment in time: the brutal “1914 (The Siege of Przemyśl)”, the frostbitten “1915 (Zwinin Ridge)”, the crushing Alpine combat of “1916 (Südtirol Offensive)”, and the madness of “1918 Pt. 2: POW (Prisoner of War)” featuring Christopher Scott of Precious Death.
The album ends with “1919 (The Home Where I Died),” featuring Rome’s Jérôme Reuter, a haunting portrait of a soldier who survived the war, but not its shadow. This emotional song deals with the soldier’s will to live and his family values, seeing him escape from captivity to finally return home to embrace his wife and daughter. 1914 fuse blackened death metal, doom, and atmospheric textures with dramatic flourishes and guest vocals, creating their most dynamic and emotionally resonant
record to date.
[Edited Press Release]
Tracklist:
- War In (The Beginning of the Fall)
- 1914 (The Siege of Przemyśl)
- 1915 (Easter Battle for the Zwinin Ridge)
- 1916 (The Südtirol Offensive)
- 1917 (The Isonzo Front)
- 1918 Pt 1: WIA (Wounded in Action)
- 1918 Pt 2: POW (Prisoner of War) (feat. Christopher Scott)
- 1918 Pt 3: ADE (A duty to escape) (feat. Aaron Aaron Stainthorpe)
- 1919 (The Home Where I Died) (feat. Jerome Reuter)
- War Out (The End?)
Main Focus Tracks:
- 1914 (The Siege of Przemyśl)
- 1915 (Easter Battle for the Zwinin Ridge)
- 1916 (The Südtirol Offensive)
- 1918 Pt 1: WIA (Wounded in Action)
Other Recommended Tracks:
- 1917 (The Isonzo Front)
- 1918 Pt 2: POW (Prisoner of War) (feat. Christopher Scott)
- 1918 Pt 3: ADE (A duty to escape) (feat. Aaron Aaron Stainthorpe)
Line-Up:
9 Westpreußisches Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 176, Hptm. Ditmar Kumarberg – Vocals
The 51st Highland Division, 1/9th Bn. 2Lt. Liam Fessen – Guitar
307th Infantry Regiment, Capt. Walter Wyhovsky – Guitar
Le 151e regiment d’infanterie, Cne. Armin d’Harcourt – Bass
K.K. Landwehr-Infanterieregiment Lemberg Nr.19, Obltn. Rostislaw Potoplacht – Drums
Comments:
It’s rare to find extreme metal that balances brutality and emotional weight so gracefully, making Viribus Unitis an impressive and memorable achievement. It’s an album that commands respect and rewards repeated listens with depth. It’s an unforgettable release.
Contacts:
Video:
Selected Discography:
Eschatology of War – 2015
The Blind Leading the Blind – 2018
Where Fear and Weapons Meet – 2021
Viribus Unitis – 2025
Photo credit: Sofiia Ruda