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Band: Kawir
Album title: Exilasmos
Release date: 3 November 2017
Label: Iron Bonehead Productions
Tracklist:
01. Lykaon
02. Oedipus
03. Tantalus
04. Thyestia Deipna
05. Agamemnon
06. Orestes
Hellenic black metal band deep rooted in the underground scene and worldwide acclaimed Kawir, released now their seventh studio album named Exilasmos. Kawir have been one of the pillars of the classic Greek black metal since 1993!
Exilasmos is a concept album about the bloodlines of two cursed dynasties, the House of Lavdakides and the House of Atreus. Violence, madness, and tragedy portraying some of the most shocking and terrible chapters in the mythology of ancient Greece. Grasping this insane and rangeful mythos an exquisite cover painting, Orestes Pursued By The Furies, from William-Adolphe Bouguereau, a French painter from the XIX century. The six songs on the album focus mainly on different members of this Greek dynasties.
Musically the entire album is an explosion of maniac blasting drums and fierce tremolo riffings, and the songs are further intensified by the quality of Porphyrion’s livid incinerating shrieks. Distinctive melodies are explored, according each character of the tracks and so the feelings impose.
The first track, "Lykaon", is heavy, doomed and deliberately haunted when it opens up with a howling wolf. Lykaon, was the first king of Arcadia who sacrificed his own son and served his roasted flesh to Zeus. An occult black metal track with a ferocious atmosphere during most of the time, aggressive vocals and than an astonishing burst of melodic riffing. Then is time for "Oedipus", a track about king of Thebes who killed his father and married his own mother. The story really comes to life in a vibrant shape in this track. The music moves between racing movements, sorrowful melodies and more mid-paced passages marked by pulsating riffs. "Tantalus", fiery and deranged, yet glorious track to the founder of the House of Atreus, who sought to appease the Gods by sacrificing his son. A clashing track, exploding with additional cymbal percussion and a cutting guitar sound. "Thyestia Deipna" starts soft, a dark breeze just for almost instantaneously change for a percussive bursts, amazing drum performance (by the way, the drums are amazing over the entire album), wild track but with more melody. Introduced by the sound of bagpipes and featuring clean vocals and chants, "Agamemnon", is for me a particular masterpiece. This one has such a dramatization worthy of note, just glorious. Good emphasis to the classical instruments and choirs. "Orestes" closes this majestic chapter of Kawir with memorable melodies and a clean instrumentation battle. The choral, the guitar solos... it's a glorious ode.
Exilasmos is another gorgeous Greek black metal homage to one of the most influential civilizations of humanity. Balanced amount of darkness, depth and cleverness. An excellent conceptual album, well executed by masters. Kawir remain impeccable, distinct and an indisputable source of Greek history and mythology displayed in their lyrics and music. Excellent addition to your collection of black metal albums carved by legends.
Review written by: Felin Frost
Rating: 9/10
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