This Italian and Serbian entity is unleashing upon us their debut opus, offering eight tracks of evocative, hypnotic doom, where the raw power of guitars merges with the spiritual depth of Indian classical music.

Formed in 2024 by the talented and seasoned musicians Elisa De Munari (Elli De Mon) on vocals, harmonium, sitar and dilruba, Marco Degli Esposti (The Great Northern X) on the guitar and drones, Enrico Baraldi (Collars, Ornaments) on bass, and Vladimir Marikoski (The Black Heart Procession, NBG) on drums and percussions, Italy/Serbia-based Hindustan/Psych Doom Metal/Rock entity Litania is unleashing upon us their debut self-titled opus, offering eight tracks of evocative, hypnotic doom, where the raw power of guitars merges with the spiritual depth of Indian classical music. Recorded, mixed and mastered by Marco Degli Esposti and Enrico Baraldi at Happenstance Recording Studio and at Vacuum Studio, the album presents dark and intense songs interspersed with instrumental passages featuring sitar, dilruba, harmonium, and tanpura. The vocals, deep and ritualistic, draw inspiration from ancient Indian Ragas, evoking a sonic journey suspended between abyss and transcendence.

Their fusion of Hindustan sounds and the absolute heaviness of doom will smash you like an insect in Manasi Devi, the “Goddesses of Snakes” or “Serpentine Goddess”, with the vocals by Elisa bringing a welcome (and hypnotizing) touch of finesse to their music. Then investing in a more Psych Rock-oriented sonority we have Ghunghru (a musical anklet made of small metallic bells strung together, tied around the ankles of classical Indian dancers), with Enrico simply hammering his bass in great fashion, followed by Veil of Illusion, which according to the band is a chant of devotion and fire, honoring Shankara, the sage who dissolved illusion, a powerful prayer to the Lord of the Mountain’s Daughter, where silence and sound merge into oneness. Musically speaking, it offers us a perfect fusion of Doom Metal and ritualistic passages; whereas Marco and Enrico are on absolute fire with their axes in Vighnaharta (a Sanskrit term meaning “remover of obstacles” or “destroyer of impediments”), a song tailored for some good old headbanging.

Jamuniya, the Hindi name for the Amethyst gemstone, continues to pave their path of adoration for heavy, doomed sounds and the mesmerizing sounds of Hinduism, where Elisa is once again amazing on vocals while Vladimir delivers those sluggish beats we love in Doom Metal. After that, Marco’s riffage will pierce your skull in Bound, supported by the rumbling bass by Enrico and the pounding drums by Vladimir in another slab of mysterious and uncanny doom. In Shankara, a Sanskrit word meaning “beneficent,” “giver of bliss,” or “one who does good,” and also a name for the Hindu god Lord Shiva, the intro will already embrace you and drag you to the whimsical realm ruled by Litania, all of course boosted yet again by Elisa’s delicate yet visceral vocalizations, before we face Fading Light, which takes a bit too long to properly kick off, but when it does, it’s as heavy and vibrant as its predecessors.

After all is said and done, it’s impossible not to feel absolutely hypnotized by the unique and enfolding music crafted by Elisa, Marco, Enrico and Vladimir in their debut offering, showcasing Litania’s power and paving a very promising path ahead of them. Furthermore, if you want to know more about such an amazing up-and-coming band hailing from Europe, but with strong ties to the Indian culture, you can find them on Facebook and on Instagram, including their tour dates (and I would simply love to see them live one day), and of course purchase a copy of their breathtaking debut from the Heavy Psych Sounds Records’ BandCamp or webstore, where you can find some beautiful versions of the album for your private collection, or simply click HERE for all things Litania. This is one of those bands that are not just making good heavy music, but infusing it with other sounds form out of the rock and metal specter, and I’m sure once you get a first taste of their unique music, you’ll get addicted to it and your soul will be transported to their ethereal realm for all eternity.

Best moments of the album: Manasi Devi, Veil of Illusion and Shankara.

Worst moments of the album: Fading Light.

Released in 2025 Heavy Psych Sounds Records

Track listing
1. Manasi Devi 5:46
2. Ghunghru 3:01
3. Veil of Illusion 6:17
4. Vighnaharta 4:06
5. Jamuniya 4:09
6. Bound 4:45
7. Shankara 4:48
8. Fading Light 4:56

Band members
Elisa De Munari – vocals, harmonium, sitar, dilruba
Marco Degli Esposti – guitar, drones
Enrico Baraldi – bass
Vladimir Marikoski – drums, percussions