Μystras, a solo project from Ayloss of Spectral Lore, create a combination of black metal and medieval folklore music. Now, the time has come to unveil full details of Mystras' debut studio album, Castles Conquered And Reclaimed. It is set for July 17th, 2020 release on I, Voidhanger Records. Recorded, mixed and mastered at the Stellar Auditorium by Ayloss (vinyl mastering by Colin Marston). Cover art by Loukas Kalliantasis. In addition to all the details, you can also listen to the opening track and "Storm The Walls Of Mystras".

The album consists of 9 numbers, equally divided between black metal epics like "The Murder Of Wat Tyler" and "Storm The Walls Of Mystras", and a handful of covers from the Medieval folklore and the Ars Nova repertoire, used as atmospheric interludes and masterfully interpreted with the help of illustrious guest musicians from Lüüp, art of simplicity, Neda and Spider of Pnyx.

Slightly rawer than Ayloss' other project, yet equally imaginative and progressive, Castles Conquered And Reclaimed mixes some of the aggressiveness from Spectral Lore's Sentinel with the folk melodies of Gnosis, but there's no doubt that Mystras take on a life of their own thanks to a vibrant and convincing songwriting built on fast, savage riffs, strong melodies and majestic atmospheres perfectly married to a unique concept.

In fact, in Ayloss' intentions Mystras' music is meant to shed some light on unsung acts of valour and bravery from the Middle Ages, but subverting the tropes by focusing on common folks instead of kings and nobility.

"The album tells the stories of those downtrodden under the shiny heels of knights and lords,! he explains; !those who chose to rise up for freedom against innumerable odds and that most often perished, sacrificing themselves for the well-being of the next generations. Mystras is Medieval Black Metal against Empire and Aristocracy!"

Source:	facebook.com
Band profile:	Mystras