Aphrodites Child - 666

And what do you know, here is YET another album that i find myself quite uncomfortable in writing about. Not because i haven't spent a good amount of time listening to it (i have), and not because i lack confidence in my writing abilities (i do) but just because...have you heard this god damn thing? It's amazing in every sense of the word. Few progressive bands/albums have had even half the impact on me this one has. And to think that their creative output was only from 68-71, there was true magic stirring in these greeks. The lyrics and concept are based on the apocalypse from St. John which is something that has fascinated me from childhood age and that is what drew me to this piece of work, but the performances found therein are equally if not more impressive. If you are a psych/prog fan you HAVE already heard this, i know that, just putting this up to share with others like me who are looking to further explore those genres.


the battle of the locusts

Frozen Glare - Shrine of Failure (demo)

What an amazing demo, that should sum it up nicely and i should quit while im ahead, but ill attempt to fuck it up a little more with some of my incoherent ramblings because this recording deserves some attention. Frozen Glare rose up in 2001 and consistently put out demo's until 2005, all of them sounding different then the one before, as they were clearly a band trying to find their sound. These demo's ranged from primitive black metal, to black metal with thrash elements, to doom/death, and in my opinion they found themselves with this demo which is more of a slow paced atmospheric/ambient black metal. I feel that they could have become great had they continued in this vein, however Frozen Glare morphed into a different entity in which little info is to be found thus far.


of failure

Unholy Ritual - Rex Mundi

Unholy Ritual from Greece have a pretty cool take on symphonic black metal. As to where most bands playing that style go for the epic, bombastic approach, Unholy Rituals approach has a progressive edge to it that definitely makes them stand out from the rest. While it is still epic and bombastic, it brings just a little more to the table and it does so successfully. Once again, if you stick strictly to minimalist black metal and such, this will no doubt turn you off, but black metallers with a more open mind will no doubt find something interesting here.


denial from heaven

Goat Synagogue - Law of the Headless Architect

Here is the 2011 debut demo from Goat Synagogue, from Greece. As many demos this one is quite short, three songs clocking in at around ten minutes its a nice display of old school raw black metal just the way we like it. For fans of early Greek black metal, you will notice this band shows much promise, i have to say i completely dig the epic atmosphere and cant wait for more material. Grab this tape via Forgotten Wisdom Productions if there are any left.



goatbomb opressor

Spectral Lore - II

You might recall me posting the predecessor to this album a few months back, and while listening to this tonight i couldnt help but share it. While still remaining ambient black metal drizzled with atmosphere as before, II is to my ears an absolute evolution. Gloomy synths and hypnotic programmed drumming with dreamlike ambient passages, i dare say not many people can do this better. And what better way then to start off the album with the twenty five minute centerpiece "The Thorns that Guide my Warpath", and it simply must be heard and experienced.


the thorns that guide my warpath

Naer Mataron - Up From The Ashes

Oh...my...god...what, a double post? Looks like someone is bored. But this post shouldnt be discarded due to my shitty attitude, i really wanted to share with you the mighty and often overlooked debut album from Greek gods Naer Mataron. They have been one of my favorite Greek bands since the first time i listened to them and dont get me wrong, i am not inviting some kind of argument or discussion from the countless number of people who could rant about how Varathron is better or whatever, im not gonna be up for that. Hail Naer Mataron!



wrath of the gods

Vorphalack - Daemonium Magister EP

Wow what the fuck is wrong with me, 3 posts in one day? Well thats me for you, unstable and unpredictable. Moving on...I love this EP, as short as it is even. It took me a while to actually WANT to hear it, especially after listening to Vorphalacks sole full length which came out a few years before this, as i found it to be pretty lackluster. However whatever magic conjured up on this EP needs to be furthered for a full length, as i found it to be full of atmospheric Greek mysticism, and i must have more.


straight from the hellas to your earholes

Zemial - Face Of The Conqueror (EP)

Led by Archon Vorskaath, the mighty and utterly fucking invincible zemial rule as always with this EP. This should leave fans of the old school wanting more with its thrashy and all out heavy metal approach to early 90s black metal. One of my favorite EP's, and hell, in the liner notes of Darkthrones F.O.A.D. album Fenriz says this release made him believe in evil black metal again. Really, i guess thats all i had to say.

Face Of The Conqueror

Order of the Ebon Hand - XV: The Devil

One of the lesser known Greek black metal bands, Order of the Ebon Hand play a fast paced atmospheric and melodic type black metal somewhat similar to the Mighty Nazxul (If you dont know who that is then please punch yourself in the face). Quality stuff that you probably havent heard, so here you are.

order

Agnes Vein - Duality

Agnes Vein from Greece are fairly new to me, so i wont have a whole lot to say, but i will say that i am pretty enthralled by their type of epic/experimental black metal. Not your typical Greek black metal here, this is something a bit different. I definitely recommend.

Duality

Varathron - The Lament of Gods

Time to pay some homeage to one of Greeces best black metal bands to ever walk the earth (maybe the best even, look out Rotting Christ) by posting an oft overlooked EP. Why should you listen, you ask? Well it has a Mercyful Fate cover.

nuns have no fun

Legion of Doom - For Those of the Blood

Today i decided i needed to pay homeage to Greeces oft overlooked Legion of Doom. One of the earlier Greek bands that dabbled in the NS ideology, although their lyrical themes were usually that of anti christianity and the like. The symphonic elements are a tad stronger and more noticeable then the debut although never quite becoming overblown to those who may not care for such, the strong songwriting and musicianship should be enough for you to enjoy. This is classic Greek black metal all in all.

For Those of the Blood

Merciless Crucifixion - Airesis

So, what do I know about Merciless Crucifixion? Well... They are from Greece and they released this Cd/demo of noisy grinding blackened death metal themselves. Fans of Blood and Blasphemy might want to give this a listen. Features a cover of the Sarcofago song I.N.R.I.

airesis

Astral Aeon - Allegories of Light

All hail the newest great greek black metal band. They have taken all their hellenic influences, among others, and crafted one of the better black metal albums ive heard in years. Also take note that they are some fucking how unsigned, so any labels out there stumble upon this, SIGN THEM ALREADY. Ok im bored of typing, but fans of Rotting Christ, you are retarded if you pass this up, and should be forced to give up your copy of Thy Mighty Contract.

Astral