This Greek Death Doom band has been around for thirty years. Not sure why in that time I have not given them a chance, but there is no time like the present. They have a powerful sound that is being fully polished here. Melodic guitar lines that still carry enough weight to hit you with heaviness. By the time we get to "Crestfallen" the atmosphere is more of a window dressing, and they are digging into a more aggressive death metal chug. The vocals are lower and more commanding. The guitar solos become more what you would expect from a death metal band, though still melodic. The overall sound begins to feel more Swedish than Greek to me.
"Among the Wolves " finds them locking into a flowing throb of guitars crunching down, but nothing really jumps out and grabs me. It all works well together but finds the feel of the album beginning to work off a uniform vibe. The growl of the vocals becomes even more guttural for "Rise of Empire". There is a alone melodic guitar line hovering over the crunching grit of the metal being unfurled below it. There is a really cool riff that crops up as a refrain, though the rule around here is cool riffs alone does not a good song make. I think it works for this song as it gives the needed dynamic transition, and hits pretty hard. The drums could stand to be higher in the mix, as most of the love goes to the guitars and vocals.
I like the darker direction of the last song. There is more of a sonic throb to the guitar. The mood reminds me more of Behemoth, not sure if this was intentional or not. They begin to work varied folk instruments in the song as it progresses, while still hanging on the same chord progression. I will give this album an 8.5, I think it's well-written and death doom fans who want something polished and well-produced will enjoy what transpires here.
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