The second album from Greek black metal veterans Yoth Iria is another slice of Hellenic extreme metal from one of it's originators. Yep Yoth Iria still march to the savage beat of Jim Mutilator's bass, just listen to Rites Of Blood And Ice. With the doomy, mid paced stomp of the title track starting the record off, it's a slow build into the rest of the record where the drumming of Vasilis Stavrianidis is an absolute stand out, no matter the pace or direction of the track he's a powerhouse.
While the debut EP and first album were Jim re-announcing his importance on the Greek extreme metal scene, this second album is them it full power, the flame is indeed blazing, the ravenous black metal growls of HE, conjuring evil spirits and the the unholy ones while guitarists Nikolas and Naberius trade off grubby distorted riffs, trem picked melodies and classic metal lead breaks/solos on Purgatory Revolution.
These basic sounds augmented by extensive use of traditional Greek instrumentation and folk traditions, the clarinet in Our Father Rode Again His Ride. However they never shy away from the scene Jim help build, Mornings Of The One Thousand Golds proudly still exclaiming "Non Servium" with an epic extreme metal backing. Yoth Iria keep the fires of early Rotting Christ and Varathon burning strong, Hellenic Black Metal at it's most vital. 8/10
Shattered Hope - Memoir (FYC Records)
Nick (vocals), Sakis (guitars), Thanos (guitar), Thanasis (bass) and Yiannis (drums) make up Greek doom/death band Shattered Hope. A band who are definitely classed as funeral doom, without keys since 2014, they use heavy guitar riffs and feedback to portray the sense of dread and foreboding.
This three track record is their first new music for a while and feature two long, heavy doom tracks, playing with harsh and clean vocals throughout they're typical of Shattered Hope. Then there is a cover of Ble Himonas (Blue Winter) a song originally recorded by Greek language post punk/alt rock band Diafana Krina.
It's this track that's the most interesting if I'm honest as it's a much heavier version but keeps the innate sadness and gothic overtones of the original. Memoir keeps the doom flowing from Shattered Hope, throwing in a couple of new spices to keep it interesting too. 7/10
Tidal Shock - Riffs Of Ha (Self Released)
Tidal Shock are band all about the riffs, so much in fact that don't even let a little thing like vocals get in the way! With comparisons to Clutch and Red Fang, they also have a lot of the Greek stoner scene in their sound with Planet Of Zeus and 1000mods comparisons. For me though they sound a lot like Karma To Burn and Earthless, using the full scope of the stoner/psych/doom sound to kick out the jams on this six track record.
Now I'm usually a vocal guy, I love a good singer but there's something about instrumental stoner rock that means I can easily listen to it as is, it's about the power of the riff and there's loads on Riffs Of Ha. Formed in Greece but now based in Luxembourg, Tidal Shock have toured with some of the biggest names in the Greek stoner scene and it shows in the skill that bleeds through the epic title track and the rest of the record. Whether you dig this depends on your opinion of instrumental bands but Tidal Shock had me nodding along the whole time so that's a win in my book. 7/10
Shinigami GR - Borderline PD (Self Released)
Shinigami GR are a heavy metal band from Greece, formed in 2007 they have gone through a few like up changes but they are still led by guitarist Dion and now give us their second album Borderline PD.
The band name comes from a Japanese spirit who guides people towards their death. Produced by Bob Katsionis so it booms out of your speakers, Shinigami GR play classic heavy metal, the vocals of Vasiliki reminding me of Wales' own Krissie Kirby or Ann Wilson of Heart, she's a vocal powerhouse able to tell the story of this cat and mouse, murder mystery.
Dionysis and Leuteris are the guitar duo that music like this needs, Kostas it's percussive backbone alongside new bassist Christina and the keys of Konstantinos adds the theatricality to the this concept album where a detective hunts down a killer, the use of the keys steps up the classic heavy metal style with some prog metal drama on At The Scene Of The Crime or the huge AORisms on The Chase.
Basically this album sounds like Benedictum playing Metropolis PT 2: Scenes From A Memory, so yeah I love it. 8/10
While the debut EP and first album were Jim re-announcing his importance on the Greek extreme metal scene, this second album is them it full power, the flame is indeed blazing, the ravenous black metal growls of HE, conjuring evil spirits and the the unholy ones while guitarists Nikolas and Naberius trade off grubby distorted riffs, trem picked melodies and classic metal lead breaks/solos on Purgatory Revolution.
These basic sounds augmented by extensive use of traditional Greek instrumentation and folk traditions, the clarinet in Our Father Rode Again His Ride. However they never shy away from the scene Jim help build, Mornings Of The One Thousand Golds proudly still exclaiming "Non Servium" with an epic extreme metal backing. Yoth Iria keep the fires of early Rotting Christ and Varathon burning strong, Hellenic Black Metal at it's most vital. 8/10
Shattered Hope - Memoir (FYC Records)
Nick (vocals), Sakis (guitars), Thanos (guitar), Thanasis (bass) and Yiannis (drums) make up Greek doom/death band Shattered Hope. A band who are definitely classed as funeral doom, without keys since 2014, they use heavy guitar riffs and feedback to portray the sense of dread and foreboding.
This three track record is their first new music for a while and feature two long, heavy doom tracks, playing with harsh and clean vocals throughout they're typical of Shattered Hope. Then there is a cover of Ble Himonas (Blue Winter) a song originally recorded by Greek language post punk/alt rock band Diafana Krina.
It's this track that's the most interesting if I'm honest as it's a much heavier version but keeps the innate sadness and gothic overtones of the original. Memoir keeps the doom flowing from Shattered Hope, throwing in a couple of new spices to keep it interesting too. 7/10
Tidal Shock - Riffs Of Ha (Self Released)
Tidal Shock are band all about the riffs, so much in fact that don't even let a little thing like vocals get in the way! With comparisons to Clutch and Red Fang, they also have a lot of the Greek stoner scene in their sound with Planet Of Zeus and 1000mods comparisons. For me though they sound a lot like Karma To Burn and Earthless, using the full scope of the stoner/psych/doom sound to kick out the jams on this six track record.
Now I'm usually a vocal guy, I love a good singer but there's something about instrumental stoner rock that means I can easily listen to it as is, it's about the power of the riff and there's loads on Riffs Of Ha. Formed in Greece but now based in Luxembourg, Tidal Shock have toured with some of the biggest names in the Greek stoner scene and it shows in the skill that bleeds through the epic title track and the rest of the record. Whether you dig this depends on your opinion of instrumental bands but Tidal Shock had me nodding along the whole time so that's a win in my book. 7/10
Shinigami GR - Borderline PD (Self Released)
Shinigami GR are a heavy metal band from Greece, formed in 2007 they have gone through a few like up changes but they are still led by guitarist Dion and now give us their second album Borderline PD.
The band name comes from a Japanese spirit who guides people towards their death. Produced by Bob Katsionis so it booms out of your speakers, Shinigami GR play classic heavy metal, the vocals of Vasiliki reminding me of Wales' own Krissie Kirby or Ann Wilson of Heart, she's a vocal powerhouse able to tell the story of this cat and mouse, murder mystery.
Dionysis and Leuteris are the guitar duo that music like this needs, Kostas it's percussive backbone alongside new bassist Christina and the keys of Konstantinos adds the theatricality to the this concept album where a detective hunts down a killer, the use of the keys steps up the classic heavy metal style with some prog metal drama on At The Scene Of The Crime or the huge AORisms on The Chase.
Basically this album sounds like Benedictum playing Metropolis PT 2: Scenes From A Memory, so yeah I love it. 8/10
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