Doomed Confessionary: Marcin Szczepański (The Black Thunder)
Photo credits: Stanisław Szuster
The Black Thunder is a doom and alternative metal band from Bytów, Poland. Formed in 2009, the quartet consists of Marcin Szczepański (vocals, bass), Grzegorz Malinowski (guitar), Jacek Kiełpiński (guitar), and Witek Kozak (drums).
Featuring members of Calm Hatchery, Tyran and Deathinition, The Black Thunder just released their third full-length album, entitled »Time Obliteration«, on October 16th, 2026 via Pagan Records.
An evolution from the stoner and groovy elements featured in their their previous albums »Visions In Black« (2017) and »Into The Darkness We All Fall« (2021), »Time Obliteration« takes the band towards much darker, heavier territory. The new material mixes black metal atmospheres with sludge weight, technical precision, infectious grooves, and unexpected avant-garde elements.
Built on a DIY foundation and forged by years of active dedication to the underground scene, The Black Thunder never aimed for perfect overproduction. Instead they opted for brutal, intense and gritty sound infused with some crust influences.
Can you please say a few words about your band?
I think they’re a band that’s constantly exploring their music. Our music isn’t devoid of various influences, as each of us is in a slightly different place in metal. I think we’ve just recorded an album that will probably best showcase what we want to play and how we want to play. I also think they’re the kind of band that’s always hard to compare to others – which is both cool and challenging. It’s hard to pigeonhole a band like this, and that’s both cool and not a secret.
What was the biggest challenge for the band?
I think the biggest challenge for us was parting ways with our longtime friend and drummer, Darek. For 12 years, the band was primarily a group of friends and colleagues who played metal together. It was difficult to prioritize music and continued playing over friendship, to part ways with a friend, and then to find someone to play drums. That’s how Witek and I met, and we’re now on our third album.
What can you be most proud of so far?
I think we played some really cool shows with bands we’re fans of, but I also think that the current album and what we’ve put into it is a source of great pride for us.
What was your biggest regret?
We don’t have things like that, or at least that’s how I try not to think about the band or life. Everything that happened had to happen the way it did – I recommend it, it helps!
What was the best concert/tour so far and why?
We have played several large concerts in Poland, and playing at Thunder Fest, organized by us, is also one of the best places every year (a festival with bands we are fans of in our hometown).
What was the biggest surprise on the music scene for you?
People are always the biggest surprise; very often, the image you have in your head about a person turns out to be false. It’s sad in music when this happens to people in bands you’re a fan of.
What is currently in your heavy musical rotation?
I’ve been currently working my way through the last Terrestrail Hospice, the new Wolfbrigade, and going through the new Mastodon and Fountaines DC for 2 weeks now.
What was the best advice you’ve ever been given as a musician?
I don’t recall receiving any advice. I think this community isn’t particularly keen on sharing it. 😀
What are your guilty pleasures?
Freak Fights but I’m trying to get away from it because it ends up having a bad effect on me.
Can you say something more about the current music scene in Bytów?
In Bytów, the city where we rehearse, punk rock has always dominated, and that’s where we were founded. The punk scene in Bytów isn’t as vibrant as it once was, but it’s still alive and kicking. Pomerania, the region where we live, is rather multi-genre, with roots in bands like Behemoth and Azarath, as well as the punk band Apteka and the entire Tricity DIY punk band, so the region is vast. We also have several festivals on the regional map, including the metal festival Mystic, our own Thunder Fest, and the iconic DIY punk festival HC Punkt Fest.
RIP Grzesiek from HC punk Bytów scene…
Where can we see you live this year (concerts/tours)?
By the end of the year, we’ll likely only be playing live studio sessions. We plan to record a live studio session of the entire new album later this year. The material will be available live on YouTube in the first half of 2027.
What are your plans for the future as a band?
Concerts and, slowly, something new are coming in the new year. For now, we’re waiting for our latest album to arrive. The plan for the coming months is a live studio session with the new album and video in December, with a premiere in the first part of the new year. »Time Obliteration« promotional shows are likely in the new year, with the finale likely at Thunder Fest, as usual, though we’re seriously considering not playing our own festival at least once. Furthermore, our guitarist is expecting a baby in October, so we’re also waiting and keeping our fingers crossed.
How can people best support your band?
Order the album, LP, CD, and merch available at Pagan Records and go to concerts. The world is changing, but the method for supporting niche music remains the same. Listen to the music and give feedback to the bands you like.
Do you have any message for your listeners?
Listen to the new album and let us know what you think. You can find it on all streaming platforms, including YouTube. Comment below to let us know what you think. Thank you for the feedback and kind words so far. We hope this material will stay with you for a long time.
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well