Kawir - Ophiolatreia (Those Opposed Records, 2008)

 

In a period where archetypal bands of the Hellenic sound have long since fallen astray or into a state of quietude who else is left than Kawir to hoist the banner? (Note: Yes, Rotting Christ keep on delivering quality albums for almost two decades now but their Thy Mighty Contract/Non Serviam days are long gone....) For most Hellenic black metal aficionados introductions are redundant, for the un-initiated Kawir are a black metal band hailing from the land of Aristotle, Plato and some guy whose 300-strong pack of soldiers apparently caused a lot of stir with the Persians back in the day. Forming back in the early 90's, they have tenaciously adhered to the same aesthetic core pretty much since their Eumenides EP. With minor mishaps sporadically surfacing in previous offerings aside (mainly tepid vocals, weak production) the band retained its identity untarnished and solidly planted in the Hellenic fold faithfully revolving around the Grecian axis of Varathron-esque romanticism. Following on that tradition and given its present-day context, it's a noteworthy fact that Ophiolatreia does not carry the apparent inferiority complex that masticates contemporary offerings with their minimalist/4-channel production obsession. Indeed, the album is completely devoid of any sort of Northern infatuations both in its production and particularly in its riffage and yet it manages to sound uniquely 'black metal.' Considering the onslaught of Fenriz-clones that riddle the scene today this in itself is quite an achievement - and a welcomingly refreshing one at that.

The compositional effectiveness of this album is primarily achieved because the band is both prudent and knowledgeable with different aspects of their music: their keyboard swaths are used only where accentuation is appropriate and their song structures don't draw for more than they have to. And of course engaging melodies and pounding mid-tempo driven themes of unmistakable 'Greekness' couldn't be absent either. Take for example "Poseidon:" it starts off with an evocative flute-lead intro that gives way to a guitar-laden passage following on the incipient melody; it then consequently builds up steadily and convincingly in tempo and mood before escalating unto its arm-wavingly delightful chorus without resorting to blast-beat excesses. This relatively simple compositional formula with a few minor fluctuations is essentially the backbone that constitutes most of the songs on this album and it successfully keeps the interest levels high throughout. To that effect, their sound is bolstered with probably one of their best productions yet. Be forewarned though: all lyrics are both written and sung in Greek since they deal primarily as always with the lasting ethos of Ancient Greece.

So who might've thought then? While onlookers were desperately expecting a resurrection from Varathron or Necromantia to re-invigorate their hopes in their beloved sub-genre of traditional Hellenic black metal it turns out it's none other than these Athenian robe-clad serpent-worshippers who will finally deliver the goods.

Album comes in a tasteful digipack and is available through Those Opposed Records (http://www.those-opposed-recs.fr.nf/).

(originally written for Tartarean Desire - 29/1/2008)