On their sixth album Afterlife, Planet Of Zeus seems to be in a much more reflective mood than before. Possibly due to the fact that they were unable to really tour their last album, 2019's Faith In Physics, these veteran road dogs, decided to look at themselves for new material, using writing and recording as a way to discover some universal truths about themselves and the world at large.
Or something like that Planet Of Zeus have always used science, philosophy and their own liberal ideology in their music, the punky, political band are perhaps smarter than your average stoners, the cover of this album, which resembles a amphorae painting should hint to how the likes of Plato and Socrates are sprinkled in the lyrics and concepts as are Dostoevsky and Hesse, it's all about the search for higher purpose and through turmoil and triumphs in their personal lives Planet Of Zeus seem locked into it than before.
Afterlife is perhaps more mature than previous albums, leaning into the darker brooding sounds of modern QOTSA on State Of Non Existence and the fuzzy thump of Baptized In His Death The Vixen and The Song You Misunderstand both have the wooziness of Monster Magnet, as Step On, Skin Off is built on Giannis' bass and feels like The Subways.
This song and the punky No Ordinary Life are Planet Of Zeus of old, Babis rallying with his shouts and guitar stabs as Stelios backs him with both guitar and vocals. Let's Call It Even drives forward with Serafeim's drums and more QOTSA thumping. There's variation on Afterlife, when they slow down they take on the form of Mr Homme's more studied modern songwriting but they still have a lot of their own stoner punk about them.
More mature but no less vicious, the pack is definitely back. 8/10
Speedrush - Division Mortality (Jawbreaker Records)
A long time coming Speedrush follow up their 2017 debut Endless War with new record Division Mortality. These Greeks are speed metal, razor sharp, blistering speed metal which has NWOBHM and thrash influences. Sounding more American than European, they rip and tear with the ferocity of Exciter, Razor or Agent Steel but have added to their sound with some more melodic moments that are more like thrashers such as Kreator or Overkill.
There's little let up, the pace established by instrumental title track. It's all fast, furious and raw, from the "captured live" production to the rough vocals, some of those melodic flourishes coming on the middle solo section of Divine Damnation. For thrashers and speedsters that like their music tough and vicious, Division Mortality will get repeated plays. 7/10
Bad Contact - Eightball (Self Released)
Although they are form Athens, Bad Contact have named their album of Thessaloniki's premier rock club/venue Eightball. A dive bar where some of the best have played, it encompasses the 80's metal aesthetic as much as Bad Contact themselves do. If I'm wrong about where they got the title from I'm happy to be corrected but the music is steeped in classic heavy metal.
Though it opens with a weird synthy instrumental called Infinity, leaving Not Afraid as the first first song proper and it's definitely retro with worship that reminds me of both the NWOBHM and AOR scenes. In fact Eightball fits ideally into the current wave of retro heavy metal bands, similar to Unto Others for instance. Only formed in 2022, they have emerged fully formed with 37 minutes of music that will show you what they do.
A bit of Cirith Ungol, a bit of Warlord and some Dio too, Bad Contact brings classic heavy rock vibes but a bit of drama. 7/10
Powercross - The Lost Empire (Elevate Records)
Formed in Athens in 2022, Powercross are a power metal band, initially just two friends it's Spiros Rizos (guitar) who continues to lead the band in 2024. With John Britsas (vocals), Vaggelis Kaliviotis (bass) and Stelios Pepinidis (drums) making up the rest of the band. If I'm making comparisons PowerCross mix Hammerfall, Stratovarius (Nightlight), keys/orchestrations sit below the surface, though not on The Lost Empire but the guitars are shreddy and feel like Firewind and Dio on Circle Of Fire.
Rizos' guitar playing is very central to the sound of the band, even with Rizos being on his own, he plays plenty of dual harmonies but his shredding is where Powercross impress the most, especially on tracks such as Eternity. The rest of the band don't hang around though the rhythm section keeps things fast and frenzied, keeping to the thrash/speed metal pattern they establish very quickly.
Powercross - The Lost Empire (Elevate Records)
Formed in Athens in 2022, Powercross are a power metal band, initially just two friends it's Spiros Rizos (guitar) who continues to lead the band in 2024. With John Britsas (vocals), Vaggelis Kaliviotis (bass) and Stelios Pepinidis (drums) making up the rest of the band. If I'm making comparisons PowerCross mix Hammerfall, Stratovarius (Nightlight), keys/orchestrations sit below the surface, though not on The Lost Empire but the guitars are shreddy and feel like Firewind and Dio on Circle Of Fire.
Rizos' guitar playing is very central to the sound of the band, even with Rizos being on his own, he plays plenty of dual harmonies but his shredding is where Powercross impress the most, especially on tracks such as Eternity. The rest of the band don't hang around though the rhythm section keeps things fast and frenzied, keeping to the thrash/speed metal pattern they establish very quickly.
Vocally John has the sort of voice you would expect from a power metal band, powerful but with that European enunciation. So Powercross are a great Greek power metal band for fans of Firewind definitely. 7/10
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