Ελληνικά
Last Updated on 08:33 PM by Giorgos Tsekas
Genre: Hellenic Black Metal
Country: Greece
Label: Floga Records
Year: 2015
If you have signed thy mighty contract with his majesty at the swamp, and if you have crossed the fiery path, then this album serves as a Sacrilegious Testament of your ancient rites. It is a reminder of your oath to Daemonia Nymphe to always be true to your inner spirit every time you face an esoptron. Now, if the above sentences are just Greek to you then keep on reading this review as you are about to discover the Mediterranean way of playing black metal. It includes dark heavy metal riffing, mid-tempo rhythms, post-punk bass lines, pyrrhic drumming, growls from the catacombs, occult thematology, mystical keyboards, abyssal atmosphere, but above all psyche.
Katavasia is an all-star black metal band that emerged from the depths of the Hellenic metal scene, and even though they have released their debut in 2015 one has the feeling that it was written during the glorious days of the early 90’s when the now trademarked Hellenic Black Metal sound prevailed in the underground scenes of the South (of Europe, of America and of Asia).A couple of other bands have tried in the past to mimic that Hellenic Black Metal sound but to a lesser degree. Sacrilegious Testament is a collective effort from members of very… veeeeery respected bands like Aenaon, Agnes Vein, Hail Spirit Noir, Transcending Bizarre? And Varathron. I urge you to check their latest albums, in case you haven’t done already. The album also features aguest vocals appearance from Sakis «Necromayhem» Tolis of Rotting Christ at the song Τhe Chariot of Emperor and a guest guitar solo from Sotiris «Annunaki» Vayenas of Septicflesh at the song Virgin Blood.Close your eyes and imagine what would have happened if Rotting Christ, Varathron and Necromantia could afford a better production and a better distribution back then. Now open your eyes and look at Katavasia. Don’t get me wrong, Katavasia is not just a copy of the past. Absolutely not! They are respectful towards it, yet confident enough to add parts of their personality without altering the initial dark vision. Enter the tunnel…
5/6
