In a world of
constant releases from Orthodox black metal bands that dumb down Deathspell
Omega to an unlistenable point, and ‘war’ metal bands that spend ten minutes on
writing each of their albums yet somehow maintain persistent praise, a dose of kingly
and elegant black metal from the heartland of Greece is an appropriate remedy.
Nocternity
from Greece present us with an atmospheric black metal album akin to early
works of Burzum but injected with a Hellenic flair of melodic heavy metal
sensibility. Pulsing rhythms pilot these riffs through several contemplations
that express one dominant theme: loss.
Harps of the Ancient Temples radiates a feeling of tragic nostalgia;
something that one longs for, something that has been missing for too long, and
something that can never return. Like a pagan kingdom sacked by a
religiously-inspired army, reaping their history in favor of a new era. This is
expressed musically by austere melodic riffing that brings to mind the majestic
landscapes of the old kingdom, now distant and unreachable.
Being mostly
mid-tempo, Harps of the Ancient Temples is
an album that takes its time, basking in its own dismal atmosphere, and
welcomes you into the gates of a poignant memory.
This album
can be purchased via Iron Bonehead records.
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