WRATHBLADE – “INTO THE NETHERWORLDS REALM”

EAT METAL RECORDS (2012)

Metal Church - The Present Wasteland

Being a teenager into Metal back in the 80s in Greece meant that not only did I experience first-hand the first few legendary gigs that took place in Athens, but also the first few shy attempts by local bands to create music capable of competition with their more professional colleagues abroad. The levels of success at the time were fairly low and it was predominantly bands of a more dark and extreme orientation that managed to achieve a breakthrough on the international scene. Things, however, have changed significantly over the last three decades, with my country acquiring a popular Epic/Classic Heavy Metal scene, one important champion of which is the Athenian quintet Wrathblade.

I’ve had the pleasure of following the band’s career from a very early stage and I can attest to the fact that that many significant changes have taken place since the release of their Demo CD “Reigns Of Doom” back in 2011. These guys live and breathe all things Running Wild, Omen, Manilla Road and early Iron Maiden and they do look towards these musical giants for inspiration, however, they do so both with respect and the desire to mark out their own musical path. The guitar duet Sotiriou/Mosalos are pretty aware of what constitutes a proper Heavy Metal riff and they have ensured that there isn’t a single composition on “Into The Netherworld’s Realm” that does not feature one, while the rhythm section of Alexandrakis (drums)/Koumparoulis (bass) are one of the most solid units I have come across in recent years, adding a lot of flair and skill to the proceedings. My only slight issue with the band was with regards Nick Varsamis’ vocals which in the past I found to be fairly mono-dimensional but even he seems to have stepped up his game in this release, adding both dynamism and passion at strategic points throughout the album.

“God-Defying Typhoeus” starts with an epic harmony and choral vocals, soon transforming itself into a mid-tempo head banging tune with Nick Varsamis indulging in an array of vocals styles which I found to be quite tasteful and fitting – perfect for fans of Omen. “Dolorous Shock” is the one composition that really stands out for me and for various reasons. Following an epic guitar harmony, the listener is introduced to a skull-crushing rhythmical riff, perfectly supported by Giannis Alexandrakis’ intelligent drum fills you can head bang your socks off to, while the lead guitar work on offer is reminiscent of the Iron Maiden of old. “In Metal We Trust” is not a bad song, featuring a few decent Running Wild-sounding vocals but I don’t think that it can really compare either with its predecessors or with the follow up “Dream Trap (Doomopolis Pt I)” – a seven minute piece which displays a variety of different influences, with certain melodies even looking towards early 90s Paradise Lost for inspiration. “Reins Of Doom (God Of War Pt.I)” kicks off with an unnecessary twin guitar theme but its commanding Iced Earth sounding main melody (see “Burning Times”) and Manilla Road aesthetics make this one of the best compositions of the album. The Omen-esque opening theme of “Flee To Freedom” and subsequent vocal melodies are indeed a touch of genius and, even though the ones on “Signs Of Wrath” are less coherent and commanding in comparison, they do a decent job, leaving the six minute “For You” to provide us with a few more examples of the band’s desire to invest in a variety of styles and themes.

If I was going to take a clinical approach to evaluating “Into The Netherworld’s Realm”, there are a few criticisms I could venture â€“ for example, the way the Nick Varsamis’ voice has been positioned slightly back in the general mix or the lack of a more meaty/punchy sound which an album like this really deserves. If, on the other hand, you choose to evaluate this album on the levels of passion, skill and musical integrity involved then I am sure you will agree with my rating. These five lads really understand what Epic/Classic Heavy Metal is all about and know damn well how to write solid head banging riffs. So – what are you waiting for? Go and get a copy of this album pronto – you will not regret it! Onwards and upwards, lads!

John Stefanis

Rating: **** (4.0/5.0)

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