Bartłomiej Krysiuk’s Batushka Renamed to Patriarkh Following Legal Loss
Three months after a ruling in a Polish court settled the legal dispute between Krzysztof “Derph” Drabikowski and Bartłomiej “Варфоломей” Krysiuk over the rights to the Batushka name, we now know what’s going to happen to the latter musician’s version of the band.
Earlier today, Krysiuk announced that his version of Batushka will move forward under the new name Patriarkh. The renaming was announced in an Instagram post, with a full statement from Krysiuk, which you can read below.
“DEAR PILGRIMS, FANS, AND FRIENDS!
“As you may have noticed over the past few weeks, we have been spreading the word about our latest concerts in various parts of the world. The time has come for which we have been preparing for the past few weeks – a time of FINAL CHANGES.
“Over the past two years, we have been working on new music, a new album, and a new stage. It has cost us a lot of sacrifices and effort. Along with the new musical stage, we have decided to embrace a new chapter of the band under a completely new name. This is also the perfect time for all your attention to be focused on our music and what we have to say through it, rather than on legal or personal struggles that have plagued our minds like a cancer.
“Now that we see how important it is for many people to discredit our hard work and divert attention from what really matters, our MUSIC, we have decided to lift this burden so as not to negate our efforts. We want to completely disassociate ourselves from all of this, change the band’s name entirely, and start a new chapter for ourselves as individuals and for the band.
“On the other hand, we appreciate how many people value us, the dedicated fans we have all over the world, and how much we owe to you. Therefore, we want to bury all negative emotions, disputes, and dramas along with the old name Batushka.
“With new music and a new name, we aim to set a new direction and begin a new story. A story that we hope you will join us in building together worldwide because without you, our Pilgrims, it doesn’t make sense!
“The change will not happen overnight, this phase will last until the end of the year. In the meantime, prepare for new music, a new image, and a new quality of performances that we want to introduce along with the new music.
“December 13th will be a symbolic date. In Melbourne, Australia, the final farewell concert of Batushka will take place, and we will collectively bury this stage during the last liturgy.
“Right after the new year, with the new publication, PATRIARKH will be born. The patriarch, along with the new covenant, will begin his reign and send his Prophet into the world!
“Anticipate the blessing of your new Patriarkh and the new Great Orthodoxies!”
For those that don’t know what’s behind all this, Batushka was founded by Krzysztof “Derph” Drabikowski in 2015. The band exploded onto the scene and released their first album Litourgiya that same year with vocals handled by Bartłomiej “Bart” Krysiuk. Three years later, the band split up, with Drabikowski deciding that he was going to continue the band without Krysiuk.
Unfortunately, the latter party decided to keep going with the name instead, signing to Metal Blade in 2019 and releasing Hospodi. That iteration of the band eventually made its way to Napalm Records for a second album release and subsequently went out touring. Similarly, Drabikowski released Панихида in 2019 as Батюшка.
What followed was a protracted legal battle between the two parties, with the final outcome happening last month when a judge ruled that Drabikowski was the sole owner of the Batushka name. Under the ruling, Drabikowski has full copyright protections for the band and its name, as well as the right to perform under and advertise with the Batushka name. Conversely, Krysiuk is barred from using the name without Drabikowski’s permission.
Patriarkh are still going to be on tour in the near future. You can find the full list of dates below.
exBatushka / PATRIARKH live 2024:
CZARNA PASCHA II 2024
13.09.24 PL – Katowice / P23
14.09.24 PL – Radom / Resursa
15.09.24 PL – Warsaw / Proxima
20.09.24 PL – Krakow / Hype Park
21.09.24 PL – Rzeszów / Pod Palmą
22.09.24 PL – Lublin / Radio Lublin
Epic Prophecy For Europe 2024
w/ Vltimas & God Dethroned
26.09.24 RO – Bucharest / Metal Gates Warm-Up
27.09.24 BU – Sofia / Mixtape5
28.09.24 AT – Vienna / Szene Wien
30.09.24 AT – Graz / Explosiv
01.10.24 CZ – Ostrava / Barrak
02.10.24 SVK – Kosice / Colloseum
03.10.24 HU – Budapest / A38
04.10.24 IT – Venice / Revolver
05.10.24 IT – Rome / Traffic
06.10.24 IT – Milano / Slaughter
08.10.24 DE – Leipzig / Hellraiser
09.10.24 CH – Luzern / Schuur
10.10.24 DE – Mannheim /MS Connexion
11.10.24 BE – Ronse / Garage Rock Fest
12.10.24 UK – Manchester / Academy3
13.10.24 UK – Bristol / Thekla
14.10.24 IE – Dublin / Academy
15.10.24 IE – Belfast / Limelight 2
17.10.24 UK – Glasgow / Slay
18.10.24 UK – Sheffield / Corporation
19.10.24 UK – Birmingham – Castle And Falcon
20.10.24 UK – London / Underworld
21.10.24 UK – Milton Keynes – Craufurd Arms
22.10.24 NL – Eindhoven / Dynamo
23.10.24 NL – Zwolle / Hedon
24.10.24 DE – Herford / Kulturwerk
25.10.24 NL – Ulft /Dru
26.10.24 DE – Bochum / Turock Fest
Asia & Australia Prophecy 2024
29.11.24 TH – Bangkok / Mr.Fox Livehouse
01.12.24 HK – Hong Kong / MOM Livehouse
03.12.24 CN – Shanghai / MAO Livehouse
04.12.24 CN – Beijing / Omnispace
06.12.24 KOR – Seoul / West Bright Hall
07.12.24 TW – Taipei
09.12.24 JP – Tokyo / Shibuya Club Asia
12.12.24 NZ – Auckland / Tuning Fork
13.12.24 AUS – Melbourne / Max Watts
