REVIEW: AEROSMITH, Nine Lives

 

AEROSMITH, Nine Lives (1997)

Columbia

Πόσο πιο mainstream πια;

Οι βετεράνοι hard rockers, με τις ρίζες τους στις αρχές της δεκαετίας του '70 και με την εντυπωσιακή αναγέννησή τους στα charts από τα μέσα της δεκαετίας του '80, έχοντας τους Steven Tyler και Joe Perry ως το ηγετικό τους δίδυμο, έφτασαν στο δωδέκατο άλμπουμ τους έπειτα από μια σειρά εξαιρετικών δίσκων με τεράστιο ειδικό βάρος, τόσο καλλιτεχνικά όσο και εμπορικά. Φυσικά, σε αυτό συνέβαλε και το MTV – μη ξεχνιόμαστε.

Την παραγωγή ανέλαβε ο Kevin Shirley, ο οποίος λίγα χρόνια αργότερα θα αναλάβει διαδοχικά τις παραγωγές των Iron Maiden, οδηγώντας τους – κατά τη γνώμη μου – σε δημιουργικό αδιέξοδο εδώ και περίπου 25 χρόνια.

Το Pink, που ως single και video clip μάς «ζάλισε τον έρωτα» στα μουσικά κανάλια, στα όρια της πλύσης εγκεφάλου, αποτελεί το δημοφιλέστερο κομμάτι του δίσκου. Ακολουθεί το επίσης πολυπαιγμένο Falling in Love (Is Hard on the Knees). Στα μεγάλα συν του άλμπουμ συγκαταλέγεται και η εναρκτήρια κομματάρα Nine Lives.

Άλλες αξιόλογες στιγμές είναι τα Hole in My Soul, Taste of India, Full Circle, Something's Gotta Give, Ain't That a Bitch, Attitude Adjustment και Fallen Angels, συνθέτοντας ένα ιδιαίτερα αξιόλογο σύνολο 14 τραγουδιών.

Δεν το λες κι άσχημο, έτσι;

English:

How Much More Mainstream Can You Get?

These veteran hard rockers, whose roots go back to the early '70s and who enjoyed a remarkable chart resurgence from the mid-'80s onward, with Steven Tyler and Joe Perry leading the charge, arrived at their twelfth studio album after an impressive run of records that carried enormous weight, both artistically and commercially. And, of course, MTV played no small part in that success—let's not kid ourselves.

Production duties were handled by Kevin Shirley, who would go on to become Iron Maiden's regular producer a few years later, steering them—at least in my opinion—into a creative dead end they've been stuck in for the past 25 years.

"Pink," which saturated music television as both a single and a video to the point of near brainwashing, remains the album's best-known track. It's followed by the equally overexposed "Falling in Love (Is Hard on the Knees)." On the plus side, the opening powerhouse "Nine Lives" is one of the album's undeniable highlights.

Other standout moments include "Hole in My Soul," "Taste of India," "Full Circle," "Something's Gotta Give," "Ain't That a Bitch," "Attitude Adjustment," and "Fallen Angels," making for a thoroughly worthwhile collection of 14 songs.

You can't really call that a bad album, can you?

Τάκης "Ε-Μortal One" Γιώτης!

REVIEW: JUROJIN – The Living Measure of Time

 

JUROJIN – The Living Measure of Time

Majestic Elder Recordings

The wave of progressive and groove metal that has become increasingly popular in recent years has never really appealed to me. Most of these bands leave me rather indifferent, as they often fail to offer anything that truly moves or surprises me. Every now and then, however, a band emerges with enough originality and vision to make these familiar sounds genuinely interesting.

JUROJIN is one of those bands. Their music combines modern metal in the vein of SYSTEM OF A DOWN with contemporary hard rock influences reminiscent of NICKELBACK, but what sets them apart is the way they enrich this foundation with elements of 1970s progressive rock and subtle oriental melodies. The use of traditional instruments such as the tabla and santoor adds a distinctive atmosphere to the compositions, giving them an identity that goes beyond the conventions of the genre. The track "Proem" is perhaps the best example of this successful fusion.

Although JUROJIN's style is not something I would choose to listen to on a daily basis, I have to acknowledge the band's talent and creative vision. Rather than simply following modern trends, they reshape them into something with depth, character, and genuine musical substance. Their songwriting balances heaviness with melody and atmosphere, resulting in music that invites the listener to become immersed in it rather than simply consume it.

If you are looking for a contemporary band that offers more than just technical proficiency or fashionable sounds, JUROJIN is well worth your attention. They have something meaningful to say, and they certainly deserve to be noticed.

Nick Parastatidis

REVIEW: THE VERY END – Mercy & Misery

 

THE VERY END – Mercy & Misery

Steamhammer / SPV Records

If your definition of melodic death metal is confined to clones of recent In Flames and Soilwork albums, or yet another predictable metalcore crossover, Germany’s The Very End will come as a welcome surprise. On their sophomore release, Mercy & Misery, the band proves that the melodic death metal template still has room for genuine freshness, innovation, and cross-genre experimentation.

Instead of merely copying their peers, The Very End builds a robust foundation informed by the aggressive thrash of Metallica and Kreator. They then layer this framework with unexpected elements of traditional heavy metal and subtle, gritty undertones of stoner rock. This eclectic mix prevents the album from feeling one-dimensional. That is not to say they abandon the genre's roots entirely; tracks like "Rat Nation" deliver the quintessential, high-octane melodic death metal assault that purists expect.

Ultimately, Mercy & Misery stands out as a highly compelling album within its subgenre, characterized by its commendable sonic variety and vibrant energy. If The Very End continues on this upward trajectory, they possess the songwriting caliber and distinct identity required to rise to the top tier of the scene.

This is a remarkably strong release. Mercy & Misery comes highly recommended—not just for melodic death metal enthusiasts, but for any metal fan looking for a high-quality, original, and broad-minded album. Definitively worth checking out.

Nick Parastatidis

REVIEW: EMPIRE OF THE MOON, Έκλειψις

 

EMPIRE OF THE MOON, Έκλειψις (2020)

Iron Bonehead Productions

Δεύτερη σκοτεινή έγερση

Οι Αθηναίοι black metallers, με το πρώτο τους άλμπουμ, έξι χρόνια πριν από αυτό, ξανάγραψαν φωτεινές σελίδες για τον ελληνικό ακραίο ήχο. Με το δεύτερο αυτό άλμπουμ, ομολογώ πως, ενώ περίμενα μια απλώς καλή επανάληψη, έλαβα πολύ περισσότερα.

Καταρχάς, κιθαριστικά διακρίνεται μια έντονη σύνδεση με το κλασικό Heavy Metal, κάτι που, βέβαια, χαρακτηρίζει τη συντριπτική πλειονότητα των ελληνικών ακραίων σχημάτων ήδη από τις απαρχές της σκηνής, δηλαδή από την περίοδο 1989-1990. Τα riffs είναι σαφώς περισσότερο επηρεασμένα από το κλασικό Heavy Metal παρά από το επίσης κλασικό black metal riffing της σκανδιναβικής σχολής.

Η χρήση τόσο της λατινικής όσο και της ελληνικής γλώσσας δεν περιορίζεται μόνο στον τίτλο του δίσκου ή στους δευτερεύοντες τίτλους των κομματιών, αλλά εμφανίζεται και με τη μορφή απαγγελίας ανάμεσα στους βασικούς στίχους, προσδίδοντας μια ιδιαίτερη ατμόσφαιρα.

Τέλος, η παραγωγή είναι πραγματικά υποδειγματική, προσδίδοντας ακόμη μεγαλύτερο όγκο, δύναμη και διαύγεια στη δουλειά των τριών μουσικών.

Αν θα ήθελα να κάνω μια άμεση σύγκριση με το άλμπουμ Πανσέληνος, θα έλεγα πως το Έκλειψις ανεβαίνει ακόμη ψηλότερα, αν όχι συνολικά, τότε σίγουρα στα σημεία. Πρόκειται, φυσικά, για μια καθαρά υποκειμενική εκτίμηση, καθώς δεν τίθεται ουσιαστικά ζήτημα σύγκρισης μεταξύ δύο τόσο αξιόλογων δουλειών.

Το ορχηστρικό Arrival λειτουργεί ως ιδανική εισαγωγή στο Imperium Tridentis, την τριμερή, κατά κάποιον τρόπο, σουίτα που ακολουθεί: Per Aspera Ad Lunae – I. The Resonance Within, Per Aspera Ad Lunae – II. Two Queens Appear και Per Aspera Ad Lunae – III. Descending. Έπειτα έρχεται το Devi Maha Devi, πριν ολοκληρωθεί ο κύκλος με το τελικό μέρος της σουίτας, Per Aspera Ad Lunae – IV.

Ο Υιός της Φωτιάς είναι πραγματικά ό,τι καλύτερο μπορεί να βρεθεί στο στερεοφωνικό σας από ένα νέο, ανερχόμενο συγκρότημα του χώρου. Πρόκειται για έναν δίσκο που επιβεβαιώνει ότι η ελληνική black metal σκηνή εξακολουθεί να διαθέτει έμπνευση, προσωπικότητα και υψηλό καλλιτεχνικό επίπεδο.

English:

Second Dark Awakening

With their debut album, released six years ago, these Athenian black metallers wrote another glorious chapter in the history of the Greek extreme metal scene. With this sophomore effort, I must admit that while I expected little more than a worthy follow-up, I ended up getting far more than that.

From a guitar perspective, the album displays a strong connection to classic Heavy Metal—a trait that has characterized the overwhelming majority of Greek extreme metal bands since the scene's formative years, around 1989–1990. The riffs draw much more heavily from traditional Heavy Metal than from the equally classic Scandinavian school of black metal riffing.

The use of both Latin and Greek extends beyond the album title and the secondary song titles, appearing also in spoken-word passages woven into the main lyrics, lending the music a distinctive and atmospheric character.

Finally, the production is nothing short of exemplary, adding even greater weight, power, and clarity to the work of the three musicians.

If I were to make a direct comparison with Panselinos, I would say that Ekleipsis reaches even greater heights—or, if not overall, then certainly on points. This is, of course, an entirely subjective assessment, as there is little point in drawing strict comparisons between two works of such high quality.

The instrumental Arrival serves as the perfect introduction to Imperium Tridentis, the three-part suite that follows: Per Aspera Ad Lunae – I. The Resonance Within, Per Aspera Ad Lunae – II. Two Queens Appear, and Per Aspera Ad Lunae – III. Descending. Next comes Devi Maha Devi, before the cycle reaches its conclusion with the suite's final chapter, Per Aspera Ad Lunae – IV.

Son of Fire is truly among the finest records you could have spinning on your stereo from a young and fast-rising band in today's scene. It is an album that confirms, once again, that the Greek black metal scene continues to thrive, possessing inspiration, individuality, and an exceptionally high artistic standard.

Τάκης "Ε-Μortal One" Γιώτης!

REVIEW: KAMELOT, The Shadow Theory

 

KAMELOT, The Shadow Theory (2018)

Napalm Records

Βρήκαν τις στροφές τους – συνεχίζουν στο ίδιο μοτίβο.

Η εποχή που σηματοδότησε η αποχώρηση του Roy Khan από το συγκρότημα και η αντικατάστασή του από τον Tommy Karevik ως τραγουδιστή είναι πλέον δεδομένη και αποδεκτή. Στο δωδέκατο συνολικά άλμπουμ τους, οι Αμερικανοί power metalers προσφέρουν ξανά —για πολλοστή φορά— αυτό που ξέρουμε ότι μπορούν, χωρίς όμως να μιλάμε για ένα απόλυτο αριστούργημα.

Ουσιαστικά, οτιδήποτε κι αν ακούσετε από το The Black Halo και μετά, θα βρείτε μια ομοιογενή συμπεριφορά στη μουσική των δίσκων τους. Ίσως να βασίζονται στην πεπατημένη για μεγαλύτερη σιγουριά; Αυτό το στοιχείο είναι έκδηλο και εδώ: ντουέτα με γυναικεία φωνητικά όπως τα Phantom Divine (Shadow Empire) και Mindfall Remedy με τη Lauren Hart, ή το In Twilight Hours με την Jennifer Haben· γρήγορα, μελωδικά και μάλλον πιο ευρωπαϊκής τεχνοτροπίας κομμάτια όπως τα Raven Light, Amnesiac, Burns to Embrace, The Proud and the Broken, Kevlar Skin, Vespertine (My Crimson Bride), όλα με δόσεις λυρικής μελαγχολίας.

Γενικά, θα βρείτε ένα αρκετά αντιπροσωπευτικό δείγμα της ύστερης δουλειάς τους, που στέκει επάξια ανάμεσα στα προηγούμενα άλμπουμ. Ειλικρινά, το βρήκα τίμιο ως σύνολο — αλλά μόνο αν είστε φίλος του συγκροτήματος. Για κάποιον που θα ξεκινήσει με αυτό, νομίζω πως θα δοθεί η λάθος εντύπωση για το τι είναι ακριβώς οι Kamelot ιστορικά.

Όπως και να έχει, του δίνω επτά στα δέκα, και αυτό σημαίνει «αρκετά καλό.

English:

They’ve found their stride – and continue in the same pattern

The era marked by Roy Khan’s departure from the band and his replacement by Tommy Karevik as vocalist is now a settled and accepted reality. On their twelfth studio album, the American power metalers once again deliver—yet again—what we already know they are capable of, though we’re not talking about an absolute masterpiece.

Essentially, anything you listen to from The Black Halo onward reveals a homogeneous consistency in the character of their music. Perhaps they rely on familiar ground for greater certainty? That tendency is evident here as well: duets with female vocals such as Phantom Divine (Shadow Empire) and Mindfall Remedy featuring Lauren Hart, or In Twilight Hours with Jennifer Haben; fast, melodic, and somewhat more European‑styled tracks like Raven Light, Amnesiac, Burns to Embrace, The Proud and the Broken, Kevlar Skin, Vespertine (My Crimson Bride)—all carrying touches of lyrical melancholy.

Overall, you’ll find a fairly representative sample of their later‑period work, standing respectably among their previous albums. Honestly, I found it solid as a whole—but only if you’re already a fan of the band. For someone starting with this record, I think it might give the wrong impression of what Kamelot truly are, historically.

In any case, I give it seven out of ten, which means “quite good.”

Τάκης "Ε-Μortal One" Γιώτης!

REVIEW: VERSUS HEAVEN - Behind the Perfect Mask

 

VERSUS HEAVEN - Behind the Perfect Mask

Casket Music/Copro Records

Once upon a time, a large part of the Greek metal scene was something of a joke. It was the kind of scene where a band would release a demo and immediately expect to be treated as the next IRON MAIDEN, despite the fact that most of those demos lacked originality, professionalism, and strong songwriting. That phenomenon still exists to some extent, but over the last few years I have noticed more and more Greek musicians approaching their craft with seriousness and dedication. The result is a growing number of albums that can proudly stand alongside international heavy metal releases.

VERSUS HEAVEN are one of those bands. On their debut album, Behind the Perfect Mask, they cite influences such as ANNIHILATOR, QUEENSRŸCHE, MEGADETH, and SAVATAGE, and while those influences are certainly present, I personally hear a stronger resemblance to ICED EARTH, especially in the guitar work and the vocal delivery. Regardless of which comparison you prefer, the important thing is that VERSUS HEAVEN have managed to forge a convincing sound that showcases both their technical abilities and their songwriting skills.

The band is made up of highly talented musicians who perform with confidence throughout the album. Vocalist Kostas Miliaras, whose voice occasionally brings Matt Barlow to mind, delivers an emotional and passionate performance that perfectly complements the material. The rhythm section is tight and solid, providing a powerful foundation for the twin guitars, which are undoubtedly one of the album's strongest assets. The riffs are memorable, while the lead work is tasteful and packed with excellent solos that enhance the songs without becoming excessive.

The songwriting is another strong point. Rather than relying solely on technical proficiency, the band focuses on memorable compositions with enough variety to keep the album engaging from beginning to end. The occasional use of violin adds an extra layer of atmosphere and demonstrates the band's willingness to enrich their sound without losing their heavy metal identity.

I won't tire you any longer. Behind the Perfect Mask is a very strong debut that introduces a band with considerable potential and the musicianship to compete on an international level. Fans of power/thrash metal, especially those who appreciate bands like ICED EARTH, ANNIHILATOR, SAVATAGE, or MEGADETH, should definitely give VERSUS HEAVEN a chance.

My favourite tracks are "Betrayed", "Heartless Kill Machine", "Angel Dust", "White Nights" (I particularly enjoyed the use of violin on both of these songs), the instrumental "Perfect Mask", and "Unexplored Land".

Nick Parastatidis

REVIEW: BATON ROUGE MORGUE – High End of the Season

 

BATON ROUGE MORGUE – High End of the Season

Independent

It is always a pleasant surprise to stumble upon a seasoned band that has managed to fly under your radar. High End of the Season is the fifth release from Finland’s Baton Rouge Morgue—and while it serves as my introduction to the band, it proves that it is never too late to discover high-quality music.

Musically, High End of the Season is a traditional heavy metal album deeply rooted in the golden era of the 1980s, yet it benefits significantly from a crisp, modern production. The band’s sonic DNA draws clear inspiration from legendary acts like Accept, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, and Riot, while occasionally weaving in a melodic, 80s hard rock flair.

The instrumentation throughout the album is remarkably tight and technically skillful, showcasing a band that has truly honed their craft over five releases. Fronting the band is a vocalist whose tone and delivery are perfectly tailored for this style of classic metal. The energy captured across these tracks is palpable, strongly suggesting that Baton Rouge Morgue would be a formidable force to witness in a live setting.

Beyond the music, the professionalism dedicated to the physical product is highly commendable. Released independently, the album comes in a premium digipak format that includes a bonus DVD featuring a collection of engaging video clips. Both the sonic production and the visual packaging rival the output of major industry labels.

It is genuinely baffling how a band of this caliber remains an underground secret without major label backing. If you are a devotee of traditional heavy metal, High End of the Season is an essential listen. This is an impressive, top-tier independent effort, and one can only hope a prominent label takes notice and grants them the broader exposure they richly deserve.

Recommended for fans of: Accept, Judas Priest, Riot, Classic 80s Heavy Metal.

Nick Parastatidis

REVIEW: ROTTING CHRIST, Aealo

 

ROTTING CHRIST, Aealo (2010)

Season of Mist

Άλωση της νέας πραγματικότητας

Το ιστορικό σχήμα που έβαλε τη χώρα μας στον χάρτη της ευρωπαϊκής ακραίας metal ιστορίας μπήκε στη δεύτερη δεκαετία του 21ου αιώνα με αυτόν τον δίσκο, διάδοχο του πολύ στιβαρού Thogonia που προηγήθηκε. Με περισσότερα στοιχεία της ελληνικής παραδοσιακής μουσικής, όπως την τσαμπούνα (μη γελάτε, είναι αρχαίο ελληνικό όργανο, ο ασκαύλος), βυζαντινής έμπνευσης απαγγελία σε σημεία, αλλά και συνοδευτικές, κυρίως γυναικείες φωνητικές, να αναμιγνύονται στα κομμάτια του. Περισσότερη ακόμα χρήση της ελληνικής γλώσσας στους τίτλους και στους στίχους (καλά κάνουν), αν και οι ρυθμοί πάλι απέχουν από αυτό που έχει ο μέσος ακροατής στο μυαλό του ως black metal.

Οι κιθαριστικές εκτελέσεις αποτελούν ένα πολύ τίμιο δείγμα δίσκου. Έχει ειπωθεί ότι αυτό το άλμπουμ ήταν η "μανιέρα" για ό,τι άλλο θα κυκλοφορήσει στο μέλλον, ακόμα και το τελευταίο τους άλμπουμ, που κυκλοφόρησε πρόσφατα. Ίσως να είναι έτσι, αλλά και πάλι, σαν το πρώτο δείγμα αυτής της μουσικής συμπεριφοράς, αξίζει να το ακούσεις.

Με τίτλους όπως το ομώνυμο του δίσκου Aealo, τα Eon Aenaos, Δαίμων Βρώσης, Noctis Era, Fire, Death and Fear, Nekron Iaches, Thou Art Lord (τίτλος φόρος τιμής στο ιστορικό alter ego σχήμα τους, μαζί με τον Magus), Santa Muerte, Order From the Dead, να μας υπενθυμίζουν συχνά τη σημασία και τη δύναμή τους.

English:

Conquest of the New Reality

The legendary band that put our country on the map of European extreme metal history entered the second decade of the 21st century with this album, a successor to the highly solid Thogonia that preceded it. Incorporating more elements of Greek traditional music, such as the tsampouna (don’t laugh, it’s an ancient Greek instrument, the askavoulos), along with Byzantine-inspired recitations in some parts, as well as primarily female vocals, which are blended into the tracks. There is also an increased use of the Greek language in the titles and lyrics (which is a good thing), although the rhythms still differ from what the average listener typically associates with black metal.

The guitar work on the album is a very honest reflection of their sound. It has been said that this record was the “muse” for everything else they would release in the future, including their most recent album. Maybe that’s true, but even so, as the first glimpse of this musical approach, it’s worth listening to.

With titles such as the eponymous Aealo, Eon Aenaos, Daimon Vrosis, Noctis Era, Fire, Death and Fear, Nekron Iaches, Thou Art Lord (a tribute to their historic alter ego band, alongside Magus), Santa Muerte, and Order From the Dead, they frequently remind us of their significance and power.

Τάκης "Ε-Μortal One" Γιώτης!

REVIEW: BOLT THROWER, Honour Valour Pride

 

BOLT THROWER, Honour Valour Pride (2001)

Metal Blade Records

Ημερολόγια απ’ το μέτωπο

Οι ηγέτες του ευρωπαϊκού Death Metal επιστρέφουν με ακόμη ένα πολεμικό άλμπουμ, που ξεχειλίζει από τεχνική αρτιότητα και εικόνες θανάτου μέσα σε αιματοβαμμένα χαρακώματα. Τότε το αποκαλούσαμε «War Death Metal», ένας χαρακτηρισμός που, αν και αντικατοπτρίζει και εδώ τη δουλειά τους, παραμένει μια φτωχή ταμπέλα για να περιγράψει το εύρος της μουσικής που συνθέτουν οι πέντε μουσικοί του συγκροτήματος.

Στα φωνητικά συναντάμε τον Dave Ingram, ο οποίος αντικαθιστά τον Karl Willetts. Τη σύνθεση συμπληρώνουν οι κιθαρίστες Gavin Ward και Barry Thomson, ο Martin Kearns στα τύμπανα και, φυσικά, η εντυπωσιακή γυναικεία παρουσία της Jo Bench στο μπάσο.

Πρόκειται για το έβδομο άλμπουμ τους και, νομίζω, ο κόσμος του ακραίου ήχου το έχει αποδεχτεί και αγκαλιάσει σε τέτοιο βαθμό, ώστε να το αναδείξει σε έναν από τους πλέον αγαπημένους δίσκους της εποχής του. Τα εννέα κομμάτια του έχουν αφήσει ανεξίτηλο το στίγμα τους στους φίλους του είδους.

Ουσιαστικά, το άλμπουμ περιλαμβάνει τρία μέρη που μοιράζονται τον τίτλο του, όμως όλα τα τραγούδια — Contact – Wait Out, Inside the Wire, Honour, Suspect Hostile, 7th Offensive, Valour, K-Machine, A Hollow Truce και Pride — είναι πραγματικά αγαπημένα και, προσωπικά, τα θεωρώ ισάξια μεταξύ τους.

English:

Diaries from the Front

The leaders of European Death Metal return with yet another war-themed album, overflowing with technical prowess and vivid images of death amid blood-soaked trenches. Back then, we called it “War Death Metal,” a label that, while certainly fitting their work here as well, remains far too narrow to capture the full scope of the music these five musicians create.

On vocals, Dave Ingram steps in to replace Karl Willetts. The lineup is completed by guitarists Gavin Ward and Barry Thomson, Martin Kearns on drums, and, of course, the formidable presence of Jo Bench on bass.

This is their seventh album, and I believe the extreme metal community embraced it so wholeheartedly that it became one of the most beloved records of its era. Its nine tracks have left an indelible mark on fans of the genre.

In essence, the album includes three sections that share its title, yet every song on the record—Contact – Wait Out, Inside the Wire, Honour, Suspect Hostile, 7th Offensive, Valour, K-Machine, A Hollow Truce, and Pride—is genuinely cherished, and personally, I regard them all as equally outstanding.

Τάκης "Ε-Μortal One" Γιώτης!

REVIEW: HELHEIM – Åsgards Fall

 

HELHEIM – Åsgards Fall

Dark Essence Records

"Åsgards Fall" is HELHEIM's eighth official release, following six full-length albums and one EP. This release offers two completely new tracks that, according to the band, will remain exclusive to this EP and will not appear on their forthcoming album. In addition, the EP includes "Dualitet og Ulver" from the upcoming album Heiðenðomr ok Motgangr, as well as a re-recorded version of the classic "Jernskogen", originally featured on Blod & Ild.

The overall impression this EP left on me is one of epic grandeur and darkness. These qualities are conveyed through the band's imposing mid-tempo approach and their characteristic Viking black metal atmosphere, both of which are undeniably effective. The musicianship is strong throughout, showcasing a technically proficient and tightly coordinated band capable of crafting expansive and immersive compositions.

That being said, the two new songs ultimately felt somewhat tiring and repetitive to my ears. Despite their solid execution and evident technical merit, they lacked the sense of inspiration and memorability that I have come to associate with HELHEIM's strongest material. Inevitably, I found myself comparing them to the re-recorded "Jernskogen", a track that highlights the band's songwriting strengths far more convincingly and serves as a reminder of how inspired and compelling HELHEIM can be at their best.

The other track that truly stood out for me was "Åsgards Fall, Pt. II". This twelve-minute opus immediately brought the mighty BATHORY to mind, both in spirit and atmosphere. The song embodies everything that Viking black metal should represent: epic scope, powerful pacing, and a cold, majestic aura that transports the listener on a journey through Nordic landscapes and mythology. Its sense of grandeur is captivating, and its immersive nature makes it the most memorable piece on the EP.

While "Åsgards Fall" contains moments that effectively showcase HELHEIM's musical abilities and atmospheric strengths, I found the new material uneven when measured against the band's past achievements. Nevertheless, "Åsgards Fall, Pt. II" alone makes a strong case for seeking out this release, standing as its unquestionable highlight and, for me, the primary reason to own this EP.

Christine  Parastatidou