I had the Zaratus EP on last night and it hit the spot nicely. It's two lads from the Greek BM scene- Varathron and Thou Art Lord dudes, I believe- and it sounds typical of the country's established style. Still, it's catchy and has a sense of the epic while keeping the guitars gritty. Interesting to see this emerge around the same time as Yoth Iria who consist of old Rotting Christ and Necromantia dudes. As with most of those bands you more or less know what you're getting- variations on that palm muted, heavy metal sound- but I think Zaratus manage to do it well. I need to give Yoth Iria another few listens.
Zaratus
https://youtu.be/h95RT9BNAB8
Yoth Iria
https://yothiria.bandcamp.com/releases
(https://ih1.redbubble.net/image.620417665.9369/flat,750x1000,075,f.u3.jpg)
Some great song writing on that Zaratus EP
Both bands have great EPs now, for some reason I just love the old Greek style, I blame His Majesty At the Swamp for it!
It's an incredibly insular and self-referential style, maybe even to the point of predictability in many cases, but when it works it works. It's cool that Greece developed such a unique sound that is nothing like any other of the BM styles that emerged in the 90s.
https://youtu.be/7tY6rlspPmY
The Zaratus debut album is out trough Ván, and sounds really good to me. I finally got around to ordering the earlier EP this evening so I'll have to pick this up ASAP.
I see Yoth Iria also have an album out now. I haven't checked it out yet.
The Yoth Iria stuff is great, the album is really strong... havent heard Zaratus though, must investigate....
Zaratus are class. Their debut album is the best thing I've heard so far this year.
Much as I worship the old Greek bands, I can't get into Yoth Iria for some reason. Ive played the album a few times on Spotify and it still hasn't grabbed me. Need to check out Zaratus though.
Ithaqua is also well worth giving a spin. The cover of the demo looks like it was drawn by a 12 year old, but its classic old Greek BM. Its released on LP by Iron Bonehead a few years back. The EP is also a classic GBM
Initiation to Obscure Mysteries
https://youtu.be/n7V5ovT96qk
The Black Mass Sabbath Pulse
https://youtu.be/HTgEUm0TN7U
I listened to it when it came out and liked it but never picked it up.
I'm listening to Zaratus 'In the Days of Whore' and it's really impressive. It has the typical straight forward Greek BM riffing style but there are so many extra layers of keyboards and non metal instruments (like keyboards! :P ) that it sounds unique. I have to pick this up when I have a few quid.
Yes, it feels like something different. A great album.
Yeah. The last song in particular is quite something.
ya i have it on here today too, its pretty interesting stuff alright