Does anyone know if the term Epic Black Metal exists?
Well, if no one does not I think it should be created because I have just found a Black Metal band whose features include Power Metal and Epic Heavy Metal treats as well.
The band is LLOTH with “Archees Legeones” which stands for ancient legions, a name that already addresses to an epic approach. Ok, there are lots of Black Metal albums that the tittle adresses to an epic grip, but, in fact, musically they do not. What I am talking about is a Black Metal band using Power Metal and Epic Heavy Metal structures to build up a very melodic and anthemic group of songs as we have in “Archees Legeones.”
The anthemic grip of “Archees Legeones” stands out right from the beggining with album opener “Angel Wings“ whose structure resembles a lot Manowar or, even, Rhapsody, except for the vocals, which, by the way, are not the typical harsher Black Metal vocals. They showcase a more modulated way of singing letting clean vocal abilities,to some extent, lead the way as vocal ranges grow stronger. “Angel Wings‘” intro could be in any 1980’s Judas Priest album for the guitar riffs and its overtones full of the chorus effect, a trick many bands used in the past. Its chorus is memorable. I doubt the fan that does not singalong with it. I’d say it’s Black Metal with Old School Heavy Metal instrumentals, with a little resemblance of what Melodic Death Metal is. Anthemic songs are LLOTH’s signature. The ironic thing about it is that Black Metal is fundamentally against anthemic songs. But that’s not really important. Tittle track “Archees Legeones” has harsher vocals and some proximity to standard Black Metal. On the other hand, instrumentals are varied and explore otherworldly influences as 1980’s Gothic Rock. The Sisters of Mercy received an unexpected homage here. The chorus is another lesson of singalonging the fan will never forget. Again, I doubt the fan that does not sing along with it. It’s interesting how the band bounces the Greek with English in some tracks as “Acherodas,” the track that presents another band’s facete that is its proximity to Folk Metal with the use of Greek bagpipes, or tsabouna in local language. The short “Paianas“ explores very well this Folk Metal influence.
The fan who listens to “Archees Legeones” realizes the obvious great production the album was under. It is also obvious LLOTH’s prone to write anthemic songs with remarkable choruses and unforgetable melodies. I would also like to highlight the varied and well-cared instrumentals with a great production quality. The album also delivers an incredible variety of themes and moods in the album that makes it very pleasant to be heard. Write down this band name: LLOTH, my dear child of the night will not regreat it.
LLOTH “Archees Legeones” will be released on May 09th via Theogonia Records.
Track Listing:
01. Angel Wings
02. Archees Legeones (Ancient Legions)
03. Acherodas
04. Dark Mountain
05. Alpha and Omega
06. Paianas
07. Arise
08. Mother
09. Black Throne
10. Doomed Black Years
Watch “Angel Wings” official lyric video here:
Source: metaladdicts.com
