SARISSA – Nemesis review

 SARISSA – Nemesis

Rock Of Angels Records

https://www.facebook.com/SarissaHellenicMetal

This is more for the foreigner readers of the webzine, since the Greek ones know this band well. SARISSA in 1987 released a demo with compositions that have nothing to envy in comparison with other compositions of well known bands of that era. Actually I believe that if they had the chance to release these songs properly then we would be talking about a classic release of the worldwide metal scene. There are some rumors that the band had an offer back then from a big metal label, but I can’t support this claim. Anyway, from 1987 up to now the status of the band was a bit weird since through the years, in a gap between 10 and 12 years they released some albums which though never managed to reach the quality of their first songs (they are not bad at all though). So, 12 years after their previous album SARISSA strike back with “Nemesis” and with a bet to prove to us they still have the talent to compose nice metal songs.

The album opens with the song “Daughter of the Night (Nemesis)” which has a strong folk Greek intro, an element that you can find in some other songs here in the album as well. It is a composition that has a progressive touch or structure if you prefer and reminds me a bit of the previous studio releases of the band. Besides this song, which by the way is very good and original, the band plays traditional heavy metal in its own recognizable way which also carries influences from bands like JUDAS PRIEST, ACCEPT and the N.W.O.B.H.M. sound.

One other thing that makes this album interesting is the production which is dynamic and clear and above all sounds very natural. It is really rare to listen to modern releases in our days on which you can listen clearly to all the instruments (even the bass). I think that this sound production gives the whole release more depth and will be perfect on a vinyl press too.

With their new album SARISSA return to their traditional heavy metal sound blend it in some parts with references to traditional folk music. It is an album that shows maturity and a band that knows what it wants and the way to achieve it, but also it is a release that has the enthusiasm that you expect from a younger band. It seems to me that SARISSA have more to give in the metal scene and hope they won’t take so long to do so. Personally speaking this is their best release after their demo which for me is a classic and has achieved a cult status amongst the underground metal fans around the world.

Nick “Verkaim” Parastatidis