Śmierć (Death) is a 2017-formed Swedish group, defining itself as "playing a straightforward yet melodic d-beat orientated punk". There is something very unusual about its lyrics, though.
Despite not having the Polish language as her own, the group's vocalist and lyricist Ninka decided to write and sing in Polish - turning her long-time fascination with the Polish punk scene into a creative outlet.
As the group's website reads - paying "an homage to (Polish art) heroes, such as Dezerter, Adam Zagajewski, Post Regiment, Homomilitia and Ewa Demarczyk, Ninka picks parts from lyrics that blend well with the d-beat, the melodic guitars and the driving bass that is so characteristic for Śmierć".
The band was quickly spotted by a legendary Polish independent label Nikt Nic Nie Wie, which has been releasing their albums ever since. And from the get go, Śmierć caused quite a commotion in Sweden - with their debut release "Godzina Pusta" nominated to the “best punk album of the year” award at the 2019 Manifestgalan ("the Manifest Gala") - top annual event of Sweden's independent music scene, honouring the country's representatives of non-commercial genres who excelled in the year past.
Another nomination, for the group's third longplay "Opór", came in 2026 - and this time Śmierć grabbed the award as well - quite likely becoming the first Polish-language act ever to win a major music accolade in Sweden.
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Source: manifestgalan.se, smierc.eu