Scheduled for a 22nd September release the new album is said to breathe new life into the black metal scene and promises to place the band among the greats of the Greek black metal scene. 

“A quest through space and time, an ascension to something greater… Zephyrean Hymns lead our cause,” this is how the band describes the new album. 

Zephyrean Hymns consists of eight songs that create a unique atmosphere. Sometimes the listener is assaulted by raging riffs and eerie screams and at other times engrossed in seductive vocals travelling with dreamy melodies.

Formed in 2015 Melan Selas has so far released two EPs and one full-length album, Φάος. The band consists of D.K. (For My Sanity, Katavasia) who handles all instruments and Astraea on vocal and lyrical duties. 

Regarding the signing, the band commented: “We are truly excited for our collaboration with The Circle Music label and the new paths that are to be followed. An amazing creative journey begins with our upcoming album Zephyrean Hymns that is to be released in September 2023! A new dimension… Great new meaning.”

The album can be ordered at The Circle Music.

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This particular album is very much black metal as art, or at least an immersive experience in the sense that it transcends and defies all barriers and conventions by means of its thick, overwhelming aura of surreal darkness. Simply put, it seems to exist in a time and sphere of its own. 

The Greek scene has spawned some of the best and most musically rewarding black and death outfits ever since the 80s and although Lucifer’s Child was a late addition to said scene in the sense that the unholy ensemble was spawned in 2013, they are very much the embodiment of all the great things from the past and the sound of the future.

The Wiccan is the sound of a ritual, of something esoteric and illuminating. Dark, intriguing, and permeated by a sense of something unholy and forbidden, this is truly the musical equivalent of an occult experience. I was head over heels in love when it was released back in 2015 and that particular feeling has not abated over the years. While it does recall other legendary Greek acts such as Rotting Christ, Varathron, Thou Art Lord, and Necromantia on a few occasions, it is first and foremost a thing of its own and a genuinely passionate piece of work. There is something foreboding about the whole cursed opus, yet it is impossible not to be swept away by the sheer sense of determination and conviction that emanates from each foul riff and wicked chord. When spinning the disc, one can only sit back and marvel at how dark these hymns from the pitch-black netherworld are.

I am always blown away by how cohesive the LP is and how every little detail and subtle nuance plays a part and works toward the same goal. Each composition possesses something unique and stands out, and there is a clear thread running through the album that ties everything together and makes The Wiccan sound like one long, uninterrupted journey through hidden veils of esoteric knowledge. The press material back then mentioned that the group “sets out to create a unity between the music itself and the spiritual idea behind each song that they present to their audience, and, it is that ritualistic energy, combined with the electrifying sound of Black Metal, that characterises the band’s own sound,” which is a good way of summing things up. A quick glance at the lyrics reveals just how enticing and strangely addictive they are, but the more you study them while listening to the record, the more they start to get under your skin and truly become part of the whole listening experience.

I keep thinking back to when I first experienced the album. This was back in August 2015 and while I found it utterly remarkable then, my appreciation of it has only grown over the years and it has lost none of its power to enthral me. To these ears, The Wiccan is without doubt one of the strongest and most potent black metal releases these past ten years. It is as if Lucifer’s Child are giving in to pure instinct and intuition while the spiritual qualities of the music are constantly emphasized and highlighted throughout, and there is an immediacy to it that blows me away every single time I spin the disc. It is a powerful musical statement with a singular vision to it and one that every black metal fan and underground metal fanatic out there ought to familiarize themselves with as soon as possible should they not already be the proud owners of this staggering piece of work. The sophomore album (The Order from 2018) was outstanding too, but it did not surpass the debut offering. You need The Wiccan.

The Wiccan was released by Dark Essence Records in September 2015.

Line-up:

George Dovolos – drums

Stathis Ridis – bass

George Emmanuel – guitars

Marios Dupont – vocals

Tracklist:

1. Hors de Combat
2. A True Mayhem
3. Spirits of Amenta
4. He, Who Punishes and Slays
5. King ov Hell
6. Wiccan
7. Lucifer’s Child
8. Doom

https://luciferschild.bandcamp.com/

The post Through still waters and Unholy Fires – A brief note on the brilliance of The Wiccan by Lucifer’s Child appeared first on RAMzine.

This new, self-titled release is as pure power metal as you could hope for, fueled by monstrously big riffs, white-hot, soul blistering solos and pitch-perfect, stadium sing-along vocals which all combine to create eleven tracks full of groove and anthemic bridges and choruses that are sure to lead to some good old fashioned fists in the air, headbanging glory when the band can return to touring.

This is a lengthy but well constructed, and a well-engineered album produced by Gus G himself, it doesn’t overstay it’s welcome and keeps up the pace from start to finish with bags of energy that only leaves you wanting to replay it one more time, every time.

Standout tracks include the opener and lead single ‘Welcome To The Empire’ which is one of the catchiest power metal songs I have heard in years. ‘Orbitual Sunrise’ is somewhat a concept song from the perspective of a space-faring astronaut as he orbits the Earth and experiences a revelation regarding nature and protecting the planet we all share. This track links to the excellent ‘Longing To Know’  and ‘Space Cowboy’ to tell this tale. ‘Rising Fire’ will be an also live favourite for sure and compliments ‘Welcome To The Empire’ perfectly, matching its intensity and vibe.

Overall this release is an incredibly strong contender for power metal album of the year in my opinion. A well-worked release, stacked with personality and talent with even more replay value.

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Running 15 minutes late — they did not say “Hello” to the public — but maybe that’s the way this gruff artistic grunge punk-rock outfit “BARB WIRE DOLLS” approach such things.

They didn’t seem so much “Desperate” [the title of their latest album] — than “seriously pissed.” Perhaps that’s because the musicians looked out at the pitifully small audience, a handful of fans who managed to turn up on school-night, and thought “sod this for a game of soliders…” [Or greek equivalent.] Why-oh-why were they on so early? And no band either!

It was only last year that the BARB WIRE DOLLS were noticed by Lemmy, signed to Motörhead Music and had legendary manager Todd Singerman take over. My, how time flies in Rock! The new album was recorded at Sonic Ranch, mixed by Jay Baumgardner [Evenescence] — so this band are ultra-hip right now.

The recent renovation of the Barfly meant that the lino on the dancefloor was no longer sticky, the air-con operated efficiently and the lighting was more “Saturday Nite Disco” than balls-out “Rock Venue.” However, it was pretty decent all the same.

Numbers such as “Heart Attack” have belligerent screams and a torrid nature The sizzling guitars and blondie’s voice were immediate and on fire. There is no denying that Isis Queen is hotter than hot. And she does not stop moving for a second. But the voice is less Hazel O’Connor more Courtney Love — and we don’t mean that in an insulting way — but it’s lazy and full-on: Not neat and expressive.

Other corrosive numbers include the shiny ‘rebel yell’ number “Drown.” This has a skateboarder’s rumbling riff and the kind of agigated drumming from Krash Doll that is really something special. This song has it all — melody, attitude and fat guitars. In fact it suggests that Punk Rock is still alive and lives on a rock in the Mediterranean Sea.

God bless all those who supported this show live. We just wished the band were not such a bitter crew of Angry Birds… Oh well, that’s anarchy for you!

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