REVIEW: NIGHTFALL, Macabre Sunsets

 

NIGHTFALL, Macabre Sunsets (1993)

Holy Records

Μετά τις πύλες του σκότους

Ένα χρόνο μετά το ντεμπούτο τους, «Parade Into Centuries», οι Αθηναίοι death metalερς προχωρούν γοργά στη δεύτερη δισκογραφική τους δουλειά. Η ελληνική σχολή στον ακραίο ήχο, τόσο στο black όσο και στο death metal, κάνει τα πρώτα βήματά της στα τέλη της δεκαετίας του '80 και αρχές της δεκαετίας του '90.

Οι Ευθύμης Καραδήμας σε φωνή και μπάσο, Mike G. (Μιχάλης Γαλιάτσος), Chris A. στην κιθάρα, George A. στα πλήκτρα και πιάνο, και ο ντράμερ Costas S. αποτελούν τη σύνθεση του δίσκου αυτού. Ένα μείγμα ευρωπαϊκού death metal με κάποια black metal κιθαριστικά στοιχεία, που τελικά χαρακτηρίστηκε ως blackened death metal αργότερα στα τέλη της δεκαετίας.

Επιπλέον, περιέχει αρκετές μελωδίες που θυμίζουν ελληνική παραδοσιακή μουσική, συχνά με γρήγορη ταχύτητα που παραπέμπει σε νορβηγικού τύπου black metal, αλλά και το σήμα κατατεθέν των χαμηλών (στα όρια του doom) ευρωπαϊκού death metal, με ταχύτητες συχνά μέσα στο ίδιο κομμάτι. Τα πλήκτρα, που παραπέμπουν καθαρά σε επιρροές majestic black metal, και τα βορβορώδη death grawl φωνητικά του νεαρού ακόμα τότε Καραδήμα, συμπληρώνουν τον ήχο, σε τίτλους όπως «Η Πόλη Εάλλω (Odius)», «Precious / All My Love is Lost», «As Your God is Falling Once Again», «Bitterness Leads Me to My Saviour Death», «Mother of All Gods, Mother of Me», «Enormous / The Anthem of Death».

Αυτό το άλμπουμ αποτελεί ένα από τα πρώιμα ορόσημα στον ελληνικό σκοτεινό ακραίο ήχο, θέτοντας τις βάσεις για την εξέλιξή του. Παρ' όλα αυτά, επισκιάστηκε από τις επόμενες δουλειές τους, αρχής γενομένης με το τρίτο άλμπουμ τους, «Athenian Echoes», που κυκλοφόρησε τον επόμενο χρόνο.

English Text:

Beyond the Gates of Darkness

One year after their debut, “Parade Into Centuries”, the Athens-based death metalers are rapidly working on their second studio album. The Greek school of extreme metal—both black and death metal—began taking its first steps in the late '80s and early '90s.

The lineup for this record includes Efthimis Karadimas on vocals and bass, Mike G. (Michalis Galiatsos), Chris A. on guitar, George A. on keyboards and piano, and drummer Costas S. This ensemble creates a sound that blends European death metal with some black metal guitar elements, which was later categorized as blackened death metal towards the end of the decade.

Additionally, the album features numerous melodies reminiscent of Greek traditional music, often played at high speeds similar to Norwegian-style black metal, alongside the characteristic low, doom-like growls of European death metal, with tempos that frequently shift within the same track. The keyboards, clearly influenced by majestic black metal, and the gritty death growl vocals of the then-young Karadimas, complete the sound. Tracks include titles like “I Polis Eallo (Odius)”, “Precious / All My Love is Lost”, “As Your God is Falling Once Again”, “Bitterness Leads Me to My Saviour Death”, “Mother of All Gods, Mother of Me”, and “Enormous / The Anthem of Death”.

This album stands as one of the early milestones of the Greek dark extreme metal scene, laying the groundwork for its development. However, it was overshadowed by their subsequent works, beginning with their third album, “Athenian Echoes”, which was released the following year.

Τάκης "Ε-Μortal One" Γιώτης!

REVIEW: ATRA HORA - Lost in the Depths

 

ATRA HORA - Lost in the Depths

Darknagar Records  

Released in 2010, Atra Hora's debut album, "Lost in the Depths," introduced the Russian band as a promising new voice in the extreme metal scene. Distributed by Darknagar Records, the album immediately distinguishes itself with a compelling blend of death and black metal, a fusion that underpins the band's sonic identity. While there are instances where the raw power of death metal takes the forefront, it's the pervasive influence of black metal that truly defines Atra Hora's foundational sound, shaping the very core of their musical expression and setting the stage for what's to come.

What elevates "Lost in the Depths" beyond a typical genre exercise is its masterful incorporation of atmospheric and melodic elements. An epic feeling permeates many of the tracks, drawing the listener into a grand, sweeping soundscape. This is further intensified by a blackened, heavy atmosphere that is crucial in establishing the album's distinct mood and providing the necessary depth for their aggressive style. Crucially, the band weaves in beautiful melodies that not only complement but also provide a captivating counterpoint to the music's otherwise extreme and aggressive nature. This interplay between brutality and beauty is a key strength, adding layers of complexity and intrigue to their sound.

These combined elements — the intricate interplay of death and black metal, the prevailing epic scope, the dense and foreboding atmosphere, and the striking melodicism — form the complete fabric of Atra Hora's debut. For aficionados of the genre, these are precisely the qualities that are most sought after in a release of this kind. The band demonstrates a remarkable understanding of how to balance aggression with atmosphere and melody, creating a cohesive and engaging listening experience that avoids the pitfalls of becoming one-dimensional.

Ultimately, if the descriptor "melodic death/black metal" resonates with your musical preferences, then "Lost in the Depths" is an album that demands your attention. Atra Hora has crafted a debut that is both punishing and profoundly melodic, offering a journey through dark sonic landscapes punctuated by moments of genuine beauty. It's a strong statement from a band that, even in its nascent stages, clearly understood how to forge a captivating and memorable extreme metal experience.

Christine  Parastatidou

REVIEW: SKRYLLS - Songs About Life and Death

 

SKRYLLS - Songs About Life and Death

Independent

SKRYLLS' debut album, "Songs About Life and Death," offers a compelling and deeply felt journey through the complexities of human emotion, establishing a solid foundation in the realms of Gothic and Doom Metal. Listeners who appreciate the characteristic sounds of bands like Type O Negative, Anathema, and Paradise Lost will immediately find themselves at home, drawn in by the album's rich tapestry of melancholic melodies, powerful, heavy riffs, and an all-encompassing introspective atmosphere. While the stated influences of Alternative Metal, reminiscent of acts such as Alice in Chains, are subtly woven throughout, the album truly distinguishes itself through its theatrical and dramatic vocal interplay. The poignant dialogues between male and female voices, notably in tracks like "Lady Death" and "He Died Alone," are particularly impactful, significantly enhancing both the emotional depth and the narrative power of the songs.

Lyrically, "Songs About Life and Death" embarks on a profound exploration of the fragility of the human spirit and the omnipresence of mortality. The narratives frequently delve into raw themes of depression, despair, and emotional pain, painting vivid sonic pictures of a world shrouded in "heavy fog" and "black shadows." There's a recurring, palpable longing for release, often personified as "Lady Death" offering an escape from suffering. The album courageously confronts the tragic isolation of death, highlighted poignantly in the tribute to "The Green Man," and thoughtfully grapples with the intricate complexities of existence, even finding life in the face of another's demise.

Yet, amidst the pervading gloom, genuine glimmers of hope and resilience shine through in songs that speak to overcoming hardship and discovering inner strength, powerfully suggesting that even from "debris and dust," one can indeed rise. This profound lyrical depth draws from a rich lineage of both Gothic and Doom Metal bands—such as Paradise Lost, My Dying Bride, and Type O Negative—and resonates with the introspective honesty found in the works of Romantic and Gothic poets like Edgar Allan Poe and Emily Dickinson, as well as the raw, confessional style of poets such as Sylvia Plath.

The album's visual presentation further enhances its thematic resonance; the cover features a striking, melancholic portrayal of Orlando SKRYLLS himself, an image that could thoughtfully bring to mind a more introspective Alice Cooper. This evocative visual choice perfectly complements the album's somber yet powerful sound, serving as a fitting prelude to the gothic and doom metal heart that pulses throughout this compelling debut.

Nick Parastatidis

Skrylls Official · Songs about life and death

REVIEW: OVER KILL, Feel The Fire

 

OVER KILL, Feel The Fire (1985)

Megaforce Records

Αφρισμένα, άγρια, γρήγορα, βίαια.

Το εναρκτήριο λάκτισμα για την θρυλική, αλλά παραδόξως παράφορα αδικημένη μπάντα από το Νιου Τζέρσεϊ. Η αρχική σύνθεσή τους αποτελούμενη από τον Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth στη φωνή, τον D.D. Verni στο μπάσο, τον Bobby Gustafson στην κιθάρα και τον "Rat" Skates στα ντραμς, ακριβώς μετά το ομώνυμο ντεμπούτο Ε.Ρ. τους, την ίδια χρονιά, κυκλοφόρησε και αυτό, το πρώτο πλήρες άλμπουμ. Thrash ή Speed Metal (πολύ αμυδρά τα όριά τους ακόμη), μια φορά σίγουρα Metal, με θρυλικά τραγούδια όπως τα "Raise The Dead", "Rotten To The Core", "Hammerhead", "Kill At Command", "Feel The Fire" και την απαραίτητη διασκευή του "Sonic Reducer" των The Dead Boys. Μιλάμε για ένα ντεμπούτο πλήρες άλμπουμ που άνοιξε την όρεξη.

English:

Frenzied, wild, fast, and violent. 

The kickoff for the legendary, yet surprisingly underrated band from New Jersey. Their original lineup consisted of Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth on vocals, D.D. Verni on bass, Bobby Gustafson on guitar, and "Rat" Skates on drums. Just after their self-titled EP debut that same year, they released their first full-length album. Whether you call it thrash or speed metal (their boundaries were still quite blurred at the time), it's definitely metal, featuring legendary tracks like "Raise The Dead," "Rotten To The Core," "Hammerhead," "Kill At Command," "Feel The Fire," and the essential cover of "Sonic Reducer" by The Dead Boys. This debut full-length album truly whetted the appetite.

Τάκης "Ε-Μortal One" Γιώτης!

REVIEW: SACRATUS – Paradise for Two

 

SACRATUS – Paradise for Two

Darknagar Records

Sacratus, the Russian doom metal outfit, released their sophomore effort, “Paradise for Two”, in 2010 via Darknagar Records. This album arrived just a year after their debut, and the short turnaround clearly benefited the band, showcasing significant growth and refinement.

The core of Sacratus's sound remains firmly rooted in doom/death metal, but “Paradise for Two” reveals a notable leap in maturity. Where their debut might have hinted at their potential, this album demonstrates a band that has honed its craft. The compositions feel more deliberate and expansive, with a greater emphasis on orchestrations that weave seamlessly into the heavy fabric of their sound. This added depth enhances the album's overall impact, allowing Sacratus to convey their musical ideas with more clarity and precision. The production quality has also seen a marked improvement, providing a richer and more detailed sonic landscape that allows the instrumentation to breathe and fully express itself.

The prevailing atmosphere on “Paradise for Two” is one of melancholy and profound sadness, a characteristic that fans of the genre will undoubtedly appreciate. This pervasive mood evokes comparisons to pioneers of the scene, particularly early My Dying Bride and Anathema, with their shared penchant for somber melodies and introspective themes. While Sacratus doesn't necessarily break new ground in the atmospheric doom metal realm, their execution is commendable and deeply satisfying for those who cherish this style.

Adding further value to “Paradise for Two” are the three re-recorded tracks from their debut: "Madness," "Fallen Angel," and "The Last Hope." These updated versions serve as tangible proof of the band's evolution, presenting familiar songs with a newfound polish and confidence. They demonstrate how much Sacratus has grown in a short period, showcasing their improved songwriting and production capabilities.

Ultimately, “Paradise for Two” is a strong offering for fans of traditional doom/death metal. Sacratus may not be reinventing the wheel, but their passion and dedication to the genre are undeniable. This album solidifies their position as a band capable of delivering emotionally resonant and well-crafted doom metal. If you appreciate the mournful beauty of the genre, “Paradise for Two” is well worth your time.

Nick  Parastatidis

KATTLIK Releases New Single "Bortom Allt"

 

Swedish death metal band Kattlik has dropped their latest single, "Bortom Allt," recorded at AlmaSounds Studios by Leonardo Gonzalez Morales. Formed in 2015 by Morales and Mattias Andersson, the band grew from a side project into a full band, with Emilio Gonzalez on bass. Known for their raw energy and sharp commentary, Kattlik continues to make waves in the death metal scene.

AIRBORN Announces New Album "Lizard Secrets: Part Three - Utopia"

 

Turin-based power metal legends AIRBORN are set to release their highly anticipated seventh full-length album, "Lizard Secrets: Part Three - Utopia," on September 16th, 2025, via Fighter Records. This album marks the conclusion of their acclaimed "Lizard Secrets" trilogy, which began in 2018 with "Land of the Living" and continued with "Age of Wonder" in 2020.

Formed in 1995, AIRBORN has built a solid reputation within the European metal scene over their 30-year career, sharing stages with bands like Iron Savior, Masterplan, Fates Warning, and Cannibal Corpse. Their discography includes five studio albums, two live recordings, and numerous festival appearances, showcasing their enduring power and melodic prowess.

The upcoming album features 12 tracks packed with the band’s signature melodic choruses, pounding riffs, and fast double-bass drums, exemplifying their classic power metal style. The tracklist includes titles like "Kings of Melody," "In Utopia," and "My Own World," promising a fitting finale to the trilogy.

"Lizard Secrets: Part Three - Utopia" will be available on CD and digital formats starting September 16th, 2025, continuing AIRBORN’s legacy of energetic, skillful metal that has resonated with fans across Europe and beyond.