Liste der Bands Symphonic Black Aherusia And the Tides Shall Reveal the Traces

Having witnessed the band live before their demo arrived to me, I was left with nothing less than positive impressions. On stage they showed a rare professionalism for an underground band and proved to be good players as well as songwriters. Their extensive touring and their support performances with better known bands such as Rotting Christ has definitely played a role in managing to sound so tight and confident.

“Aherusia” is a Greek band and this is their first full-length album. A self-released mini-LP had appeared in 1999 but that was recorded with a completely different line-up. Their music is a unique combination of black metal with “lyre”, a traditional instrument from the island of Crete that could be described roughly as violin-sounding. A violin that follows war-like paths, though, as it provides the soundtrack to the traditional war-dances of that part of Greece. The black metal part of this marriage owes much (probably too much) to the latest works of Rotting Christ. Indeed, quite a few of the songs here could fit in the album ‘Theogonia’ of the latter, and very few listeners could spot the difference!!! Is this a bad thing? Keeping in mind that the aforementioned album is considered a masterpiece and that virgin-birth is a myth, all bands have the right to pay tribute to their influences, especially at their debut and when it is done in a way where the final result is of such standards. The outcome is paying back Aherusia’s willingness to experiment with new sounds, as it delivers a sumptuous feast of nice melodies, imaginative changes and fresh air.

The songs show a vast variety in rhythms and tempo, ranging from fast/ aggressive to slow parts where recitations in Greek can be heard. They could hardly fit in the folk/pagan black metal scene as their approach is more song-based and the traditional sounds are incorporated in the metal arrangements instead of overshadowing them. An example that comes to mind are ‘Skyclad’, for those who remember them, that although folk they remained metal.

The production is of professional standards and everything sounds right in place, although I have the feeling that the guitars could have been mixed a bit higher. The vocals follow the variety of the album by changing styles whenever needed.

Summing up, this is one of the most unique and refreshing pieces of work that I’ve heard lately. This may be due to the band building their songs around a newly introduced instrument in metal in such a successful way. I hope that they will pursue the path they’re creating and make a step forward by showing an even more personal touch.

18/20