NOCTERNITY
- "En Oria", Kyrcke Productions, reviewed 020716
This is the debut cd from NOCTERNITY, an Athens based band formed back
1997 by Khal Drogo (Guitars & Vocals), one year later Merkaal from
ORDER OF THE EBON HAND joined the band and togheter with LETHE from
SEPTIC FLESH and Cygma they recorded this cd called "En Oria".
Due to some problems with their old label the release got delayed now
but last year it came out on ISO666 releases. And how does it sound
then? Truly AMAZING... this is the best stuff I've heard from HELLAS
in a long time. The music is fast glorious black metal with some 6/8th
drumming and keyboards. I'm usually not a fan of keyboard based black
metal but this sounds raw and evil even though the keyboards are there
maybe in some NOKTURNAL MORTUM way or something. The riffs and musicianship
are both great with some great guitar solos here and there. My favorite
song is "Qeen of the deep" which has everything that great
black metal song should have. This IS the most promising band in Black
Metal Hellas today... A must buy!!!
Sum-Up:
4.6
INVOCATION
- "Lonesome Was The Last Journey", reviewed 020716
At last a new INVOCATION release... time has fled but here it is; "Lonesome
Was the Last Journey". This is actaually a compilation cd with
songs from 1993-1997 so you really now that this is classic stuff...
Even my old favorite "Shadows over Innsmouth" from The Medieval
split is here but in an even stronger version. You really cannot blame
INVOCATION for not releasing anything earlier as mainman Aithir have
had quite much to do in bands such as LEGION OF DOOM and NAER MATARON
So... what has happened since their Ars Moriendi demo? First of all
they've improved as musicians a lot. And all songs hold a very high
standard and the ones that stick out and even are better are "Lust
& Vison", "Garden of Dreams" and of course "Shadows
over Innsmouth". It's the typical semi-melodical INVOCATION sound
on the cd with some clean guitars, a little keyboards and the killer
black metal riffs... Also the sound quality is quite good, not clinical
mastered but it suits the music. So should you buy the album? OF COURSE!!!
This is a perfect chance for you who haven't heard INVOCATION to get
involved with this great band...
Sum-Up:
4.0
NAER
MATARON - "Skotos Aenaon", Black Lotus Records, reviewed 010925
I was really expecting a new Naer Mataron album as their first one (Up
from the ashes) is a modern classic in Hellenic Black metal history.
So how is it? Well the first impression isn't as great as the first
album, but still it's good. The first that strikes you is the sound
quality which is far from as good as earlier, a little weak, and the
drums almost dissapear sometimes. But on the other hand there are still
these classic Naer Mataron mega-riffs that makes you shiver, really
impressing, especially the fast middle riff in the title track "Skotos
Aenaon" which is so fucking great. The line-up is still the same
as on the debut, and why do you want to change a winning concept, although
there are only pictures of the headhonchos, Morpheas and Kaiadas in
the cd-booklet. The cd contains 8 songs and an intro, most of the songs
are really good as I said before it is only one song that is a little
bit annoying and too much Norway for my taste, that's "In honor
of the wolf" and I don't like it. Overall it's a good Black metal
album, although it gets a lower grade due to the poor sound quality.
Sum-Up:
3.7
SEPTIC
FLESH - "Revolution DNA", Holy Records reviewed 000406 by
Christos/Sauron
Absolutely brilliant! If you are familiar with the previous work of
Septic Flesh then you will hear an album that's far more mature than
anything they have done in the past. Gone is the deathmetal and the
female vocals but the significant Septic Flesh touch is still intact.
And the fact that they now have Lethe from Order of the ebon hand playing
drums in the band only makes the sound thicker and better. Songs like
Science, DNA and Revolution are performed with power and precision that
will force you to hit play on you cd-player to listen to the album one
more time. The vocals are a duel between Spiros and Sotiris which blend
with the perfect contrast. The guitar harmonies are as good as ever
and the leadguitar work has improved. It's also one of the first albums
to be recorded in the new Fredman Studio in Gothenburg and it's just
the perfect sound for Septic Flesh. If you haven't already bought this
cd, I then recommend that you do so instantly as I name this: Greek
album of 1999, thus, resulting in an almost perfect score.
Sum-Up:
4.9
EHTERIAL
- "Om Santhi", Unisound Records reviewed 000119
I think that this is ETHERIAL's debut, I heard their 10" lp "Dominion"
a few years ago and I wasn't impressed at all. This actually sounds
quite the same, but I think these songs are a little better. Some riffs
really kill, you like oldschool thrash and stuff. But on other parts
it sounds like shit especially some keyboard parts which suck big-time.
So you might that think I don't like this all, but something excites
me. Some parts really are brilliant. Like the song "Fields of Emptiness"
which is really great. Another thing about the cd is that is not so
good is the sound. Really awful rehearsal place sounding drums and guitars.
I don't think I mentioned before what kind of metal they play. It's
ome kind of at most times slow death metal with keyboards, really underground
I think. Anyway some might like this even though I don't.
Sum
Up: 2.1
EXHUMATION
- "Dance Across The Past", Holy Records reviewed 991207
Oh Yes!! How good this album is. Defenitely one of the best of all death
metal albums 1998. Totally crusching. I know it's quite late to review
this cd now as they soon will release their new cd. The cd is record
at Fredman Studio in Sweden which means it's killing sound, really powerful
and clean. I didn't really think that EXHUMATION would create a better
album than their debut "Seas of Eternal Silence" which to
me is one of the best death metal albums ever. But the question is if
this one is even better, maybe it has a lot to with the sound which
is far more better, but I don't know. Well this is really good performed
death metal just like the former cd with tons of super-riffs performed
by maybe the best musicians in Greece today. Killer musician-ship is
what you get and especially the solos and drumming really keeps you
going. Some parts of female vocals can also be heard, performed by Kimberly
Goss, I think she has been a member of ANCIENT if I remember correctly?
Well eight songs of first-class death metal is what you get plus a cover
of SEPULTURAS "Territory" from the tribute-cd "Sepultural
Feast".
Sum
Up: 4.2
EN GARDE
- "Comedia De L'Arte", Throne Productions reviewed 991207
This was the first release from the Cyprus based label Throne Productions,
and what a release. The cd starts off with a killing cover of Handel's
"Ah Mio Cor", and the rest of the cd follow in the same vein
except for the song "Summer" which totally suck. Anyway the
other hold so high quality that you can forgive them. The music is by
the way doomy metal with both male and female vocals, both vocal-parts
excellent performed and some of the female ones really kills. Some keyboards
appear too which gives a more doomy sound to the cd which was recorded
in Praxis back in 1996. The sound quality is good and powerful and in
my opinion the best songs are "The Secret" and "A Wish".
Check it out if you like doomy metal.
Sum
Up: 3.9
THE
ELYSIAN FIELDS - "We... The Enlightened", Wicked World Records
reviewed 991207
They now added a "The" in front of their name, I guess there
are some bands calling themselves Elysian Fields, so it might be a smart
decision. I think this cd was released in the spring of 1999, Ok I know
it's late for review but hey, here it is anyway. They have changed label
from Unisound to Wicked World, seems like quite smart too as you never
know where you have Unisound. "We... the Enlightened" was
recorded in Praxis Studio, and the sound is really good but I really
don't like the drum-sound. It sounds really midi-drums even though it
says that Vangelis plays the drums, hmm I wonder if that's true. Well
'nuf shit talked... The music follow in the same direction as their
killer debut "Adelain" and you soon get in their special atmosphere.
It reminds me sometimes of DISSECTION and other Swedish Death/Black
bands, especially in songs like "Until the Night..." and "Arcana
Caelestia". If you like their first cd or any other way around
you should really give this cd a listen, even though it doesn't satisfy
my senses completely just to hear the great interlude riff in "Arcana
Caelestia". Totally crushing.
Sum
Up: 3.4
DARK
NOVA - "1999 (A Step Beyond...?)", Seven Music
DARK NOVA is back after some in silence. This cd was released in the
summer of 1999, and it's quite good really. Maybe I don't think that
it's as good as the Greek Metal Media thinks (got a killer good review
in Metal Hammer), but anyway... Death metal like music with good clean
vocals. Some of the music really kills like the pre-chorus riff of "1999",
which is awesome, reminds a little of KING DIAMOND. This cd like the
ASPHODEL one is recorded at Feedback Studio. Also here the sound is
good except for the drums which are far too "click" sounding
and rehearsal-place like. Otherwise this is a nice metal album which
you ought to check out if you like riffbased metal. As this is quite
something like a veteran group, you hear that all musicians know what
they're doing, well played and tight.
Sum
Up: 3.8
ASPHODEL
- "Floatin' In Nowhere", self-financed reviewed 991207
This mini-cd from ASPHODEL from Nea Smyrni, Athens which follows up
their earlier demo "Loom of Sounds" follow quite in the same
direction as the demo, but the cd is better I think. Four songs of mid-tempo
doom metal with female vocals and violin is what you get. Well performed
but nothing new I must admit. The cd was recorded in Feedback Studio,
never heard of it before, but the sound is good for a Greek studio I
think. This is really not my music style, and maybe I should have let
someother review this cd. Nothing more to say.
Sum
Up: 3.0
ANGELO
PERLEPES MYSTERY - "s/t", Unisound Records reviewed 991207
This is actually the first stuff I ever heard of the quite known cult
group MYSTERY. The music is in the 1980's power metal vein and reminds
quite a lot of old HELLOWEEN to me. As usual when you listen to power
metal, you know that you get well performed music, and this is no exception.
The seven songs has class and the vocals and the guitar solos as well
as some riffs totally kills. It is though nothing new or ground breaking
but if you like power metal with sing along choruses you should check
this out. The best song according to me is "Burning Eyes"
with a killer main-riff with sweeping and stuff.
Sum Up:
3.7
GODBLOOD
- "Those Funeral Times", Throne Productions reviewed 991115
GODBLOOD is the boss of Throne Productions own band, Deceased, and they
play thrash metal with death/black vocals. The music is really oldschool
with great riffs, quite basic slow drums and so on. The cd contains
eight metal songs and an acoustic outro. The compositions are real good
as I mentioned, but the sound quality on this cd is really tame and
not so powerful as it should have been. One of the songs, "A Funeral"
is earlier already released on the split 7" ep with MACABRE OMEN,
but now it's re-recorded and sounds really much better. If you have
heard that 7" ep you understand how this sounds like as it follows
in the same trail. The musicians are good but nothing exceptional, but
this is a quite old release so they might have become better now.
Sum
Up: 3.5
NIGHTFALL
- "Diva Futura", Holy Records reviewed 991115
"Diva Futura" is NIGHTFALL's latest effort and has been out
for a while as usual on the french label Holy Records. The line-up is
the same as on the great mini-cd "Electronegative", ie Efthimis
and Mike from the old line-up and the new additions Mark Cross on drums
and Phil Anton on guitars. The music is not like the early NIGHTFALL,
no, it follow more in the direction of "Electronegative".
All the death-metal vocals are gone, the music is more heavy than ever
and the songs are shorter and more intense with a lot of solos and sample
inlays. You can call it "hit-like". Well is it any good then?
Well, there are some songs songs that really kill like "The Sheer
Misfit", "Licked One's Iced Lips" and "My Traitor's
Kiss" but the overall impression is not too good I must say. Ok,
all songs are wellperformed, good sound quality and so on but... Maybe
it's wrong with me as I think that many of you might like the cd. Check
it out of you like the heavy NIGHTFALL hit-songs.
Sum
Up: 3.4
SATELLIGHT
- "Reflection", self-financed reviewed 991114
SATELLIGHT started out as a one man band where everything was handled
by Elias Kritikos a Greek who lives in Norway. It's very hard to label
the music of SATELLIGHT, as it's quite special. Well, first of all it
has no traces of metal in it. No this is mostly instrumental music with
piano, strings, guitars, some drums and so on. And on some of the last
songs there are some singing too, and Elias mentioned that the new songs
will contain more singing. The songs are very atmospheric and beautiful,
and you get into a nice mood while listening to them. It suits perfect
for only background music when reading or you can just listen, and from
time to time you hear yourself say; "damn this is good". The
"Reflection" cd contains 14 songs and all the music is completely
laid down by keyboard, and I must credit Elias and say he plays everything
with such feeling and doesn't sound too much synth about the guitar
like it usually does. You can order the cd directly from Elias, just
write an e-mail and ask about the price as I don't have a clue. ilias21@hotmail.com
Sum
Up: 3.7
TERRA
TENEBRAE - "Subconscious", Black Lotus Lotus Records reviewed
991111
TERRA TENEBRAE is kind of an allstar project with Gothmog from THOU
ART LORD (gods), Makis from NECROMANTIA (killers) and Vassilis who I
don't remeber which plays with at the moment. Well what does it sound
like? Neither like THOU ART LORD or NECROMANTIA I must say. No more
like late 90's black metal from Norway. The cd starts of very promising
with "count the time" which is an excellent black metal song,
also next few songs are really good. But after that something happens,
the last songs are far from as good as the first ones. That's quite
sad as I really like the first tunes. I must say that it would have
been better to wait for some time so that all song were in the same
style, or they could have released the fast songs as a mini-cd and the
slower on another. The musicians of course when we talk about bands
of this caliber do their stuff like it's supposed, good and with no
problems at all. The vocals of Gothmog are good as always. The sound
production is very black metal, quite good, but the midi-drums sounds
too much midi, maybe that was meant to be that way? Layout and cover
is the best from the greek scene for some time I must admit. Killer
planetary layout.
Sum
Up: 3.2
PHANTOM
LORD - "In Twilight World", Black Lotus Lotus Records reviewed
991111
PHANTOM LORD is a unknown band to me. Never heard of them until the
summer of 1999 when I bought the cd "In Twilight World". PHANTOM
LORD play a quite melodic, technical heavy/thrash metal with real sing
along heavy metal choruses. All musicians are killers with their instruments
and personally adore the guitarist Yannis which plays so fucking good
and with such good feeling like they did in the 80's. All the riffs
are very good, some with sweeping and scales etc. The vocals of Vasilis
are in a clean heavy metal way and at most parts good. Also the drummer
Angelos and bassist Rich do their thing great. If you like "hit-like"
thrash with clean vocals, monster solos and effective tightness I can
recommend this cd. The package and layout are quite good with a nice
cover but in the booklet with lyrics it looks quite quite shaggy. The
sound production is quite harsh but it fits the music good.
Sum
Up: 3.9
IRON
YOUTH - "Dürch das Volk : Mit dem Volk : Für das Volk",
Hate Records reviewed 991109
This is the only release from IRON YOUTH I have heard. It is from 1998
and the music is national socialistic "hate core" with anti-semitic/whitepower
lyrics. Eventhough this is not kind of music I must say that I admire
IRON YOUTH for all their anger and hate they can put in on one cd. I
don't know which all the members of the group but I can say that a few
of the greek metal elite are involved. So of course you get quality
music. As I said it's hardcore style music and add some screamy vocals
and a lot of backing screaming you can figure out how it sounds. The
cd is released by the German label Hate Records. I don't where you can
buy this as I got my copy from a friend at www.nordland.net, but it's
worth looking for if you like ns metal. All lyrics are unfortunately
not printed in the booklet as it's quite hard laws about anti-semitic
propaganda in Germany, but if I remember correctly all lyrics except
two or three are there. The best songs are "Axiom", "Just
Say Forbidden", "To Him" and "After The War".
Also I must add that some of the artwork in the booklet are censored
too.
Sum
Up: 3.6
DESCEND
- "Beyond Thy Realm of Throes", Black Lotus Lotus Records
Yes! At last killer thrash from EPIDEMIC but now they have changed their
name to DESCEND and has signed with Black Lotus records. This new full-length
has a lot to give. As usual the great riffing, the solos, but now even
more death-thrash than EPIDEMIC always has delivered us. This sound
like thrash from the later middle of the 80's with a little more death
metal touch. And it reminds quite a lot of the glory days of KREATOR.
This is so fucking heavy that you must hear it yourself to understand
Especially when songs have heavy metal chorus' it kills. Also the sound
is dirty like it is supposed to be with thrash metal, especially the
guitars sound this way. The cover and artwork are very nice too with
great colours. Well I can recommend all thrash and death metallers to
listen give this cd a listen.
Sum
Up: 4.0
CROMLECH
- "The Fall Of Christianity" demo-cd 1999
When I got this cd in my hands I thought because of the cover and pictures
that this would be ultra-primitive black metal. Yes it's primitive but
not really much, no there are acoustic guitars here and there and whispers
sometimes. And two or three killer-riffs too! The three songs are a
couple of minutes each which suits quite fine. Some arrangements maybe
could have been worked a little more on... But on the whole this is
a entertaining black metal demo. This is like many greek black metal
today recorded in Studio 5 with Gregory as producer. Because of all
bands recording in Studio 5 CROMLECH doesn't sound too original unfortunately.
But fans of semi-primitive blackness should check this out.
Sum
Up: 3.3
CROMLECH
contact: Cromlech, Samou 26, Xaidari 12461, Athens, Greece
CELESTIAL
SCREAM - "Haec Dies" demo-cd
This three song demo starts of with an excellent keyboard/piano intro
which impresses me a lot. Then when the first real song starts, "The
Harrowing of Hades" starts I can hear me speak to myself: "Yeah...
This is Heavy...". Also the last song very powerful with very fast
drumming which is always welcome. Actually this is really good. I would
call it Heavy Black Metal or something with a lot of melodies, leads
and killing majestive keyboard and piano work. Also long instrumental
parts with with heavy riffs appear. All members are good at their instruments
and this demo gives a proffessional impact on me. It is recorded in
Studio 5 which we all know are good studio for these matters. I don't
know what this demo-cd cost but I guess 7-8 USD. Write to them and ask.
Sum
Up: 4.0
CELESTIAL
SCREAM contact: Pavlos Houliaras, Damassipou 23, 15 773 Zografou, Athens,
GREECE
THE
BLOODCULT - "Night's Plutonian Shore", Unisound Records
The first that strikes me is that the members are corpsepainted so when
you see the cover and inlay you expect some primitive black metal. But
no... What is this then? Goth! Well... Medieval Demon members that are
trying to play vampyric goth/doom doesn't sound like a rather good idea,
huh? No actually it isn't. Some songs are quite nice even though that
this is not my fave kind of music. After a long church organ intro which
could been taken from the MEDIEVAL DEMON cd the first real song starts...
And it's kind of nice. All vocals are in a clean gothic way and the
drums are made with midi. A lot of strings are used also via midi and
the guitar sound is quite soft sometimes and scratchy other times. But
most of this record is too slow for me and contains too little metal.
The best song of this album is "Kissing Her Wounds". It sounds
quite Industrial in the beginning then turns to Synth-pop from the 80's
to end with hell knows what. No... This wasn't too good.
Sum
Up: 2.5
ACID
DEATH - "Pieces Of Mankind", Metal Mad Music
ACID DEATH is back! After the problems with their military service they
have now released the really good cd "Pieces of Mankind" on
Metal Mad Music. This record follows up the earlier "Apathy Murders
Hope" 7" single and "Misled", the split-Lp with
Spains AVULSED. And what does it sound like. You don't have to worry...
As usual with ACID DEATH you get the killer riffs, the monster guitar
solos, the excellent bass-lines and the complex drums. Together with
the fantastic skillfull and tight musicians. Also ofcourse they have
many weird inlays in the music and you ask yourself: "What the
Hell...". I think that ACID DEATH is one of the few bands which
make this kind experiments and make it sound great. Many great keyboard
parts are on the record too which gives a more complete and creepy sound.
Well last thing I can say i maybe that All ACID DEATH fans shouldn't
miss this for anything in the world as you won't get dissapointed. To
the others I can recommend you to listen to the cd first before buying
it as some might find it too weird?
Sum
Up: 4.5
SWAN
CHRISTY - "One With the Swan", Black Lotus Lotus Records
This is a record that take some time to get into. When first got it
I hated it, I don´t know why really, I thought it was too cheesy?
Most of the songs are connected to eachother which creates a great concept.
Well the music of SWAN CHRISTY is some kind of Gothic metal I guess,
but it´s far from anything I have heard before. The things that
are special with SWAN CHRISTY is the using of a lot of piano, keyboards
and violin. ALso there are super marvellous solos and top of the line
vocals, both male and female. The female singer is no other than Natalie
Rasouli from SEPTIC FLESH. When you hear their name; SWAN CHRISTY, you
might think that this would be an exact copy of MY DYING BRIDE (of course
I´m thinking about their second full length "Turn Loose the
Swans) but this isn´t the case. No except for that it´s
clean vocals, violin and piano, but they doesn´t even use it in
the same way as the goth/doomers from England. Swan Christy has also
very majestive and epic keyboard parts with the singing lying over.
I mean some songs doesn´t even use the guitars. That makes the
record more varied and even better. I wonder how they will sound on
the next record? Even better?
Sum
Up: 4.0
ASTARTE
- "Doomed Dark Years", Black Lotus Lotus Records
You have probably heard about ASTARTE. They are said to be the first
all female black metal band. This is their debut cd out on Black Lotus
Records which follows their (I think) only demo. After a long moody,
good keyboard intro, the first real song starts; "Voyage of Eternal
Life" and is this good or what? If you, like me, like primitive
black metal with lengthy songs and raw vocals, you are going to love
this. Very cool riffs with keyboards on top gives a great atmosphere.
Also there´s a lot of great keyboard bridges and clean guitar
parts which make the music even better. The vocals sounds as usual and
could have come from any man in the black metal scene. The three women
of ASTARTE are: Kinthia - guitar/vocals/keyboards, Tristessa - bass/keyboards,
Nemesis - guitar/keyboards. The session drummer is called Aivar. "Doomed
Dark Years" is a good record with long songs which also results
in long playing time which is good. The sound of the black metal they
play is quite norwegian I must admit but theyre not aping any band and
I think ASTARTE are quite original. And the fact that behind the music
there stand three hellenic women doesn´t make it any worse. I
want to hear more like this.
Sum
Up: 3.8
AIMOPTYSI
- "Searching the Myths of the Past", DR Recordings
Bass! All I can say is that these guys like bassguitar. A lot of bass
chorus intros and a lot of bass in the mix. Unfortunately it doesn´t
sound that good when the guitar hardly can be heard because of all the
bass and the high deathy vocals. One thing that you can hear is the
guitar solos although they also ought to be higher in the mix. Also
there´s some cool tradeoffs between the guitar and the bass in
the solos. Some might say that the singing is a little like Spiros of
SEPTIC FLESH but of course not as extreme although the singing of John
"Archon" Zaminos is really good I think. Some parts of the
clean singing could be discussed though. There are some really catchy
good riffs on the guitar which you actually can hear like the intro
riff of "Pyriflegethontas". Most of all the lyrics speak about
the rivers of Hades and they´re quite good I must say. Besides
of John, AIMOPTYSI are Alekos Bafitis (guitars), Philip Bouramis (bass,
acoustic guitars, synths). The drumming is handled by a drum machine
which sounds ok. They also have some guest lead guitarists like Tassos
Spiliotopoulos from the thrashers FLAMES and Achilles Hilmi. Well if
the mix had been better this could have been a killer Death Metal album,
now it´s just another in the crowd with bad production. I really
would like to hear AIMOPTYSI with good production and maybe with real
drums because I think it would suit their Death Metal better.
Sum
Up: 2.7
MEDIEVAL
DEMON - "Demonolatria", Unisound Records
MEDIEVAL DEMON is back! It was quite many years since I heard any new
music from back then one of the best primitive black metal bands out
of Hellas. The last I heard from them was their great split 7"
with INVOCATION which totally kick ass. Back then it was extremely primitive
and raw black metal which was performed. Yet today one can say it´s
quite primitive but not as before. Also there´s much better sound
quality. There´s also more melodies than before and a lot of keyboards.
Talking about keyboards, the record starts off with a great keyboard
intro which is followed by the extreme black metal they play. Although
they play extreme metal they don´t grind that much, and even it
sounds brutal enough, that is good. Another nice thing is that they
also have violin included in some songs which gives a great touch. MEDIEVAL
DEMON consists of: Crimson Embrance - vocals, Moonstruck - keyboards,
Count Lethaemon - guitar/bass, Maelstrom - drums. All of the musicians
are good and they play good all together. The lyrics speak as usual
about evil stuff like death, demons and women who are seductive and
so on. The record is good after a few listens but it feels like something
is missing. But then there are songs like "Spirits of the Dead",
"Dark Widow" and "Demonolatria" which are totally
awesome. Therefore it´s quite hard to set a grade on this cd.
All I can add is that I like the pictures of the members a lot.
Sum
Up: 3.9
DEVISER
- "Transmission To Chaos", Two Moons/Mascot Records
This is a record which I has longed for, for quite some time must admit.
DEVISER debut "Unspeakable Cults" was so good that I really
expected something special from the follow up. And what do I think about
the new record? Well, it doesn´t really sound like I thought would
with monster-riffs ala "Unspeakable...". But it´s not
bad anyway, it is more heavier know and with more keyboards. The riffs
are simpler but good anyway, that´s something a lot of bands would
gain more respect in doing instead of some groups where the music drowns
in all the harmonies. The line-up has changed a bit. The present is:
Matt Hnaras - vocals/rhythm guitars, Nick Christogianis - bassguitar,
Manos Hiotis - keyboards/lead guitars, Mike Tsempertzis - drums. It
took me some time to get in to this record but now I like it´s
heaviness, mighty keyboards and rockier parts. As usual with DEVISER
all musicians are great and tight. Especially Mike Tsempertzis is really
good behind the drums. Also the guitar solos are from time to time weird
but great. Well the only thing I can add is that I also like the cover
art a lot.
Sum
Up: 3.8
NAER
MATARON - "Up From the Ashes", Black Lotus Lotus Records
The record starts off with a great oldschool thrash riff which later
follows by the usual black metal furiosity. But this is not like every
other black metal act today. No this is real good with blends of norwegian
sounding black metal, thrash and ancient hellenic tunes. NAER MATARON
is a quite new band which I only think has one demo out and now this
record on Black Lotus Records. The music is very good with harmonic
riffs but not as cheesy as some norway crap and all of the musicians
are very competent. All of the lyrics deal with ancient Greece and the
Gods of the time. As most of the music is very fast black metal it is
nice that have an ancient hellenic style song on the record. This song
has only acoustic instruments and greek spoken vocals, very good in
deed. The members are Morpheas: guitars/acoustic intruments, Aithir:
vocals/drums (on this record Lethe plays the drums), Kaiadas: bass,
Lethe: keyboards. In some songs there pops up an unexpected thrash metal
riff which is good for the musical variation. The only that I really
can complain on is the length of the record it´s only 36 minutes.
That´s a little short I think. Anyway this is a very good record
which yould ought to own.
Sum
Up: 4.2
ORDER
OF THE EBON HAND - "The Mystic Path to the Netherworld", Hypervorea
Records
This is actually the first I´ve heard from this group. I have
heard promising words about O.O.T.E.H. and when you hear this record
you will see why. I don´t know how long this CD has been out but
I saw it for the first time a week ago (beginning of May) in the record
store and I bought it immediately. The line-up is: Lorthar - rhythm/lead
guitars & backing howlings, Merkaal - bass guitar & lead vocals,
Lethe - drums/percussion & synths & melodic vocals. If we first
talk about the music, it is clear that these men listen to the Scandinavian
scene but though they´re not aping any band and they manage to
come out with a quite personal sound. This is fast black metal with
great melodic music, some heavy metal influences and good vocals. The
material on the CD is quite old, it´s from 1995 and 1996 but still
it´s good. Also the musicanship is great because all of the musicians
knows what they´re doing and masters their instruments with knowledge
and skill. Something else that´s good with O.O.T.E.H. is the melodic
vocals of Lethe that often is lying over the usual black vox. And good
solos, that´s not so common in the black metal scene today, is
it? The best song in my opinion is track no. 5, "Tears in Red"
10 minutes an 44 seconds of marvellous black metal, and good lyrics,
I wonder if Lucio Fulci´s (dead master of gore) great movie "City
of the Living Dead" helped them to come up with a title to the
song. All of you who has seen the movie understand what I mean, to all
others... see it today. "The Mystic Path of the Netherworld"
is released by Hypervorea recs, a company which seems to release only
good albums, ok that it is only their fourth that the label has released
and with bands like LEGION OF DOOM, AGATUS, ZEMIAL and now ORDER OF
THE EBON HAND, we all long after a Hypervorea tour through Europe, a
tour like this is of course a economical problem, but isn´t time
for rest of Europe to listen to the wonderful music of Greece live in
concert too?
Sum
Up: 4.0
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