The Greek mythology and the pantheon of gods has always fascinated me. From as long as I was able to read at a decent level I’ve loved the stories of Achilles, and after reading the Iliad I was hooked. So it’s no surprise that I have a soft spot for Greek Black Metal and the bands that have spawned from that region. I had no idea that Kawir existed until El Jefe sent me this promo. But now… oh, constant reader! It’s on!

Κυδοιμός (Kydoimos) is a descent into Greek mythology; a concept album that, according to the press release is a story that centers on the Iliad among other fascinating mythology from the Greek pantheon. I recently covered another long-running Greek band, you may have heard of them; Rotting Christ and their career-spanning Pro Xristoy. Kawir, to their credit, sounds nothing like Rotting Christ, and as I listened to Κυδοιμός I started to pick up on some possible influences that I’ll get into in a second.

Alright, so first of all; this album fucking rules. “Teiresias” rises on some light keys before the blasts hit like a thunderstorm, a big-time Fleshgod Apocalypse-ish elemental track. This is an aggressive album, aggressive riffing evidenced within the riffs of “Fields of Flegra” another go for the throat raging track, a little bit of Dimmu Borgir in the keyboard harmonies that power it forward towards my first favorite track “Centauromachy”. This one reminding me of “Desire in Violent Overture” from Cradle of Filth‘s Cruelty and the Beast album. Hitting hard from the get-go, it’s a monster track that doesn’t let up and segues into “Hecatonchires” with a continual riff that wraps around your eardrums.

“Myrmidons” continues in that vein, after which “Achilles and Hector” brings a bit of a tempo change from pounding, unrelenting Black Metal to a Falkenbach/Primordial style earth mover with clean vocals coming to the fore on “Achilles Funeral”, “Echetlaeus” and the title track. The final track “War is the Father of All” combines all the amazing elements of the album together in one climactic moment. It’s a menacing track and a perfect closer for the album.

Let me take a paragraph to talk about the production on Κυδοιμός. It’s awesome, allowing each instrument to shine as bright as Lucifer rising in the sky. I’m not sure where it was recorded, but goddamn it sounds fantastic.

If you enjoy the bombastic stylings of Fleshgod Apocalypse, early Cradle of Filth, Dimmu Borgir and, like I said, some Falkenbach as well. Kawir should be right up your tree and here, on their ninth album, it looks like Kawir is a band that is a force to be reckoned with.

A great album for the spring season, and one that really deserves your attention, be quick and check it out ASAP.

[Visit the band's website]

---

Comments