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| #FOR FANS OF: Black/Death, Disembowelment |
The amount of fine releases coming from the ancient lands of Greece in this tricky year has been one of the best surprises, if we can define as a surprise the high quality of releases coming from a scene, which is highly respected by fans of the black metal genre around the World. Regardless of the time of existence, both new and classic bands seem to have found a moment of inspiration to release tasteful albums in 2020. The Greek trio Prometheus, coming from central Macedonia, a place well-known in Europe´s history, does not want to be the exception and has released its sophomore album entitled ‘Resonant Echoes from Cosmos of Old’. Prometheus was founded some years ago and it took nearly a decade from its early demos to be finally able to release a first effort, entitled ‘Consumed in Flames’. Even though the quality of that album made the wait worthwhile. That was a defining moment from which the trio became more active, releasing three years later an EP and a new full album.
‘Resonant Echoes from Cosmos of Old’ is the name of the new beast, whose style is firmly rooted in the black metal genre. In contrast to other Greek acts, which have a greater melodic component, Prometheus delivers a truly crushing and sinister sound in this album, though its compositions don´t lack completely of a melodic touch. The initial part of the album contains truly heavy and dark tracks like "Astrophobos" or the impressive album opener "Gravitons Passing Through Yog-Sothoth". In these songs we can appreciate that sonically the riffs are deep, cavernous and truly shadowy. The style reminds me bands like the Portuguese The Ominous Circle, with this demolishing heaviness, which is maybe more common in the death metal genre. The pace follows the same patterns, with a combination of fast sections and super heavy slower parts, as said which are maybe more prominent in the death metal genre. Still, the genre can be tagged as black metal because of its atmosphere and also tough the vocals are as cavernous as the riffs are. When you think that ‘Resonant Echoes from Cosmos of Old’ is a furious and well-composed album, yet with a predictable development, the album changes in its second half, bringing some interesting surprises. The tastefully melodic end of the third track "Astrophobos" serves as little introduction of what we will find in this later section. The traditional structure of voice-guitars-drums, which have had the main role during the first part of this album is suddenly accompanied by some atmospheric keys in songs like the homonymous one and the excellent album closer "The Crimson Tower of the Headless God". Stylistically the compositions don´t change so much, as the vocals continue to be deep and aggressive and the riffs remarkably heavy. But Prometheus rightly adds a greater degree of melody in certain riffs of these songs and the aforementioned keys play a major role in order to give a new epic touch to these compositions. Suddenly, the album acquires new characteristics, while it evolves to its end making this effort surprising and fresh in its later stage. The epic final song of this album sums up the different angles of this album, combining the fast and slower parts, the monstrous riffs and a majestic atmospheric side, which enriches this song and makes it a glorious way to end this excellent album.
The talent that Prometheus shows in the later part makes me wonder how a full album with songs like "The Crimson Tower of the Headless God" could sound. Anyway, the contrasting two sides of this sophomore album make it a truly interesting work, because this unexpected evolution sounds refreshing and exciting. At any rate, both sides of this album have a high degree of quality and will please any fan of extreme metal. (Alain González Artola)
‘Resonant Echoes from Cosmos of Old’ is the name of the new beast, whose style is firmly rooted in the black metal genre. In contrast to other Greek acts, which have a greater melodic component, Prometheus delivers a truly crushing and sinister sound in this album, though its compositions don´t lack completely of a melodic touch. The initial part of the album contains truly heavy and dark tracks like "Astrophobos" or the impressive album opener "Gravitons Passing Through Yog-Sothoth". In these songs we can appreciate that sonically the riffs are deep, cavernous and truly shadowy. The style reminds me bands like the Portuguese The Ominous Circle, with this demolishing heaviness, which is maybe more common in the death metal genre. The pace follows the same patterns, with a combination of fast sections and super heavy slower parts, as said which are maybe more prominent in the death metal genre. Still, the genre can be tagged as black metal because of its atmosphere and also tough the vocals are as cavernous as the riffs are. When you think that ‘Resonant Echoes from Cosmos of Old’ is a furious and well-composed album, yet with a predictable development, the album changes in its second half, bringing some interesting surprises. The tastefully melodic end of the third track "Astrophobos" serves as little introduction of what we will find in this later section. The traditional structure of voice-guitars-drums, which have had the main role during the first part of this album is suddenly accompanied by some atmospheric keys in songs like the homonymous one and the excellent album closer "The Crimson Tower of the Headless God". Stylistically the compositions don´t change so much, as the vocals continue to be deep and aggressive and the riffs remarkably heavy. But Prometheus rightly adds a greater degree of melody in certain riffs of these songs and the aforementioned keys play a major role in order to give a new epic touch to these compositions. Suddenly, the album acquires new characteristics, while it evolves to its end making this effort surprising and fresh in its later stage. The epic final song of this album sums up the different angles of this album, combining the fast and slower parts, the monstrous riffs and a majestic atmospheric side, which enriches this song and makes it a glorious way to end this excellent album.
The talent that Prometheus shows in the later part makes me wonder how a full album with songs like "The Crimson Tower of the Headless God" could sound. Anyway, the contrasting two sides of this sophomore album make it a truly interesting work, because this unexpected evolution sounds refreshing and exciting. At any rate, both sides of this album have a high degree of quality and will please any fan of extreme metal. (Alain González Artola)
(I, Voidhanger Records - 2020)
Score: 83
https://i-voidhangerrecords.bandcamp.com/album/resonant-echoes-from-cosmos-of-old
Score: 83
https://i-voidhangerrecords.bandcamp.com/album/resonant-echoes-from-cosmos-of-old