Semper Mors - 2004 - In Endless Despondency

From Greece comes this one man Black Metal band, presenting us with a three track demo of slow to mid-paced Black Metal. Musically I find both Transilvanian Hunger and Panzerfaust era Darkthrone here, as well as some Shining and Armagedda. Some interesting progressive parts are present here, as well. The vocals are similar to those by Nocturno Culto, only sounding more desperate. Despite this being a one man project real drums are used.

The soundquality here could have been a bit better. Lots of treble, and a quite chaotic sound in general. It takes a few listens to get used to it.

Of the tracks on this demo only one is shorter than ten minutes, which makes for a total of 25 minutes playing time, which is quite good for a demo. If you like your Black Metal raw and harsh you should definitely check out this demo.

Standout track is "In Endless Despondency".

Saturday February 12 2005, by :Vragh:

Riddle of Meander - 2005 - Pandemonic Holocaust

Out of Greece comes this Black Metal horde with their first demo, containing two lengthy tracks of mostly mid-paced Black Metal towards the depressive kind. The music reminds me mostly of slower early Burzum, Isvind and Svartsyn (Swe). This really does sound Nordic, and has a feeling of the mid '90ies as well.

The vocals remind me somewhat of those by Necro in Pest (Swe) at times, but with an extra edge of depression to them. There's also more reverb added to them. They set a dark mood to the music.

The soundquality is not too bad. There is a slightly hollow sound to the drums, which is a bit odd, but not so much as to ruin the listening experience. The soundquality reminds me of Svartsyn (Swe) from a few years back. A keyboard is used at times, which really gives the music an extra edge. Limited to 200 copies. They have a second demo out as well.

Both the tracks presented here are quite good.

Thursday November 30 2006, by :Vragh:

Exetheris - 2005 - A Night of Pain

Out of Greece comes yet another one man Black Metal project. For some reason there seems to be a thriving scene there. We are presented with 7 tracks of mid-paced to fast minimalistic Black Metal, with a drum machine. Musically this reminds me mostly of Striborg and somewhat of Xasthur and Blodulv.

The vocals are very similar to those by Grendel of Blodulv. Quite distorted and hatefilled.

The soundquality is quite ok, and all the instruments can be heard in the mix, but the drum machine is a bit too prominent, and could have been done a bit better, in my opinion. There are some really weird noises in some of the tracks here, which makes for an interesting listen. There is a fullength in the works, as I'm writing this.

Standout tracks are "Vinternatt", "Dying Wish" and "Ave Satana".

Saturday October 21 2006, by :Vragh:

Eschaton - 2006 - Causa Fortior

Out of Greece comes this Black Metal horde with their first fullength album. We are presented with six tracks of mid-paced to fast and slightly melodic and depressive Black Metal. The music and sound has changed quite a bit since the demo from 2004, but this is still very good. This reminds me somewhat of Taake, for some reason, as well as the music presented on the 1349 mini cd. Some parts earlier Marduk are also present.

The vocals are rather reminiscent of the vocals by Garm on the first Borknagar album, if a bit more guttural, with parts Chuck Schuldiner of Death.

The soundquality here is slightly muffled and a bit chaotic, and there's more bass in their sound now than on their demo. The sound reminds me of the 1349 mcd mentioned earlier, as well as of that specific sound many of the Eastern European bands have. Very nice.

Standout tracks are "Glorious Crusade", "Transfigured Visions" and "Steel Glowing in Darkness".

Saturday October 21 2006, by :Vragh:

Eschaton - 2004 - Summon the Manifestation

Out of Greece comes this Black Metal horde with a demo of four tracks, including an intro. These are some serioulsy good Black Metal tracks, reminding me of the early days of the scene. There is a distinct Nordic, even Swedish feel to the music.

Musically they remind me a bit of Sorhin and Thornium, being mid-paced to fast and slightly towards the repetitive and melodic side of Black Metal, with the vocals reminiscent of those of Thornium.

The soundquality here is really sharp, and you can clearly make out the different instruments in the mix. I am definitely looking forward to hearing more from this band.

Standout tracks are "Scepticism of Blasphemy" and "Misty Fog Covers the Forest".

Monday May 9 2005, by :Vragh:

Dawn of Division - 2005 - Awaiting the Dawn

Out of Greece comes this one man Black Metal band with a second demo. Slightly atmospheric and melancholic, mid-paced Black Metal with keyboards is what we get here. This demo seems to be rather well thought through with interludes linking the tracks and setting the mood for the next track. Of the five tracks on this demo there are only two "real" tracks, the others being intro, interlude and outro. These three very well played Metal / Classical compositions remind me a lot of the Neo-Classical / Soundtrack project L'Orchestre Noir.

The two remaining tracks are well rooted in Black Metal, having a slight touch of regular Metal to them, with parts somewhat reminiscent of Ulver's more acoustic explorations. There is quite a bit of Burzum and Transilvanian Hunger-era Darkthrone here, with the music being somewhat repetitive, and I even find some traces of latter day My Dying Bride.

The vocals sound like a mix of Nocturno Culto, Legion and the vocals of Frediablo and Condatis
Svarthjerte in Svartpest.

The production is really good on this release, it has a dark atmosphere to it, and the drum machine
is not at all annoying. Definitely a band to keep an eye on, I would say.

Standout track is "Bride of Winter".

Wednesday July 27 2005, by :Vragh:

Almighty Sathanas - 2004 - Demo 2004

Seems like the Greek Black Metal scene is growing fast. One of these new bands is the oneman band Almighty Sathanas. The three tracks on this first demo sound mostly like Ildjarn, with some Volkurah and Burzum parts here and there.

The vocals are highpitched growls, sounding like a more angry and more audible Varg Vikernes from the early Burzum albums.

The soundquality is harsh, just the way it should be with music like this. The guitars, vocals and the drum machine can all be heard here, the guitars being the driving force in the front of the mix followed by the vocals, with the drums being somewhat in the back. It is good to hear that Ildjarn has influenced others to carry on with this special brand of Black Metal. Minimalistic Black Metal with a
vengeance!

Standout tracks are "Jezabel" and "Wrath".

Monday March 7 2005, by :Vragh:

Acrimonious - 2006 - Broken Bonds of Balance 7"

Out of Greece comes this Black Metal band with a promo of an upcoming 7" containing 2 tracks of mid-paced to fast, Swedish and French sounding Black Metal. The material presented here reminds me of both Watain and Deathspell Omega, really, and is just slightly melodic. You can hear a distinct progress since their Perdition Gospel demo here. The material is harsher and sharper.

The vocals remind me quite a lot of those by Erik of Watain.

The soundquality is quite good, and has improved since their demo as well. Slightly murky sound, but that is something at least I enjoy. You mostly hear the guitars and the vocals with the drums ever so slightly further back in the mix. The production reminds me slightly of that on Mayhem's De Mysteriis dom Sathanas and Watain's Casus Luciferi. Both the tracks presented here impressed me, I must say. I am most definitely keeping track of this band, and so should you!

Saturday October 21 2006, by :Vragh:

Acrimonious - 2005 - Perdition Gospel

Out of Greece comes Acrimonious with their second demo. Presented on this tape are 4 tracks of mid-paced to fast Black Metal, with a slightly melodic touch. This reminds me somewhat of earlier Deathspell Omega as well as some Kampfar for some reason, with a twist of earlier Morbid
Angel. Quite an odd mix.

The vocals sound a bit like the vocals from the first Ancient album, but mostly they remind me of those in Dom Dracul, but with more distortion to them.

The production is good. You hear all the instruments clearly, and even the bass is allowed some room here, which is rather unusual in Black Metal I think. There is a distinct demo sound to this recording, but not in a bad way.

Over all a quite enjoyable release, although I do prefer the Broken Bonds of Balance 7" they released this year, which shows a clear progression from this release.

Standout tracks are "Goatrapture" and "On Serpent Wings".

Monday November 27 2006, by :Vragh: