22 November 2024
I miss Hellenic Black Metal that is done right. Don’t get me wrong. Yoth Iria is a new band comprising experienced musicians coming from the scene and have just released their second album. But the fact that the band’s backbone is ex-Rotting Christ member Jim Mutilator, they have enough gasoline to light the fire for good things to come out.
Mutilator had founded the band with The Magus (Necromantia, Rotting Christ, Thou Art Lord etc.), but they parted ways right after the second album. It’s good news that he instantly found new companions having ability to fit the empty positions. The new members are very experienced names having played in many bands. What’s interesting is that a Russian musician named Rustam Shakirzyanov (aka He) was hired as the vocalist for the band. “He” is from a band called Rakoth that I’ve never heard of. His vocals are different from The Magus. The Magus had a harsh vocal style that was closer to classic black metal vocals. “He” prefers a different, slightly more understandable and melodic vocal style. He is a great choice to be entrusted with the microphone.
The music is similar to the music in their first, but the first album, despite having very good songs, was not this good as a whole. This album is more than enough to make Yoth Iria’s voice heard by greater masses. It is a wonderful work that will make one feel Hellenic Black Metal to the core.
To clarify what I mention, Yes, I missed well-made Hellenic Black Metal. The greatest representatives of the genre, Rotting Christ, are still active and on their way, but the band evolved into a different style after The Sleep of the Angels album. Although they are applaused as they are all over the world, as a fan missing their old times, I feel lucky that I have the chance to satisfy my longing with Yoth Iria.
The album is very successful as a full package. I mean, in terms of presentation, composition, recording, artwork. The fact that Greek bagpipes were used in a few songs (or played with keyboards, not sure) brings to mind the Greek Villagers of Ioannina City, one of the quality Progressive Rock bands of the recent period. Bagpipe made a great contribution to the creation of the Hellenic atmosphere.
The band released video clips for three songs of the album. These are In the Tongue of the Birds, We Call Upon the Elements and But Fear Not. One can listen to the album, even singing along in some places, from start to finish without getting bored. The fact that the same character, who I think symbolizes Satan, is used on both album covers creates the perception that the band has a mascot, which we are not used to seeing in a black metal band (except for Darkthrone). We can think of this as a situation that contradicts a spiritual music like black metal. But what I am talking about here is not a cute or cartoonish character that changes shape from album to album, but a drawing that the artist created when he wanted to depict the devil or the evil-in-man.
I recommend it to all listeners who miss the genre. Congratulations to Jim Mutilator for his hunger and excellent song writing. Don’t miss it, or you will regret it.
9,5/10
