Metal Storm logo
Kawir - Exilasmos review




Bandcamp music player
Reviewer:
9.0

34 users:
7.79
Band: Kawir
Album: Exilasmos
Release date: November 2017


01. Lykaon
02. Oedipus
03. Tantalus
04. Thyestia Deipna
05. Agamemnon
06. Orestes

Kawir are hailing from the black metal abyss of the 1990s, but they haven't had the recognition of bands like Rotting Christ, Necromantia or Varathron even though they were born from the same Greek ominous womb. Since 2008's Ophiolatreia, the group has been steadily gaining acclaim and new fans and Exilasmos is, I dare say, their best effort to date.

The follow-up to Πάτερ 'Ηλιε Μήτερ Σελάνα (Father Sun Mother Moon) is a concept album about the bloodlines of two cursed dynasties, the House of Lavdakides and the House of Atreus. Orestes Pursued By The Furies by William-Adolphe Bouguereau on the cover is the painting depicting the album's concept. Patricide, matricide, incest, violence, madness, hybris and catharsis sum up the tragedy expressed in the lyrics. The word "exilasmos" in ancient Greek language means appeasing the wrath of the gods and the six songs on the namesake album focus mainly on the inhuman acts of members of the aforementioned dynasties and their tragic consequences.

Unlike its predecessor, which contained plenty of folk elements, Exilasmos is darker and more aggressive, revealing its early Greek and Norwegian black metal influences. It is also more concise, clocking in at 43 minutes and thus not coming across as unnecessarily long and repetitive like the 64-minute Πάτερ 'Ηλιε Μήτερ Σελάνα did. The riffs are sharp and fiery, accompanied by Porphyrion's terrifying vocals and a staggering drum performance by Hyperion. The guitar work is shining throughout the album when the speed is frenetic, but also during the Bathory-worshiping mid-tempo sections and the NWOBHM-influenced leads; "Oedipus" is a perfect example showcasing these elements. This is why the record is likely to appeal to both classic black and/or heavy metal fans.

Exilasmos flows perfectly from the howling wolves that open the crushingly doomed "Lykaon" to the calming solo that closes "Orestes". In "Agamemnon", which precedes "Orestes", the warmongering bagpipes of Pandion and the heroic-sounding choir provided by Alex The One (Macabre Omen) emphasize the return of the Greek army commander and king from the Trojan War only to find his wife, Clytemnestra, sharing her bed with another man. Clytemnestra murders Agamemnon and Orestes avenges his fathers's death by killing both his mother and her lover. "Orestes" is a relentless assault in the beginning, portraying the protagonist's rage and desire for retribution, while Porphyrion's spine-chilling shrieks in the chorus represent the voices of the Furies (female chthonic deities of vengeance, also representing guilt) in Orestes's head when he goes mad. After the deed is done the tempo slows down, the song becomes more melodic and slowly fades out, redeeming the listener for the dramatic events experienced while playing the album; just like goddess Athena offered a trial to curse-stricken murderer Orestes before twelve judges, including herself, resulting in his acquittal and allowing him to live in peace. It is an epic conclusion of an epic album.

Exilasmos demonstrates deep lyricism and marvellous musicianship, offering a fate-focused understanding of human nature and divine vindictiveness and imperfection through a thoroughly cathartic aural experience. The gods are appeased.

"Oι Βάκχες του Άδη (The Bacchae of Hades)
για αίμα διψούν (are thirsty for blood)
τον Ορέστη διώκουν (they are pursuing Orestes)
τη ζωή του απαιτούν" (his life they demand)





Written on 21.11.2017 by Only way to feel the noise is when it's good and loud!


Comments

Comments: 2   Visited by: 260 users
23.11.2017 - 00:14
Bad English
Tage Westerlund
Wow, amazing revive I like concept about history, Greek BM history and all things, I like your reviews mam, please don't leave MS.
----
Life is to short for LOVE, there is many great things to do online !!!

Stormtroopers of Death - ''Speak English or Die''
apos;'
[image]
I better die, because I never will learn speek english, so I choose dieing
Loading...
23.11.2017 - 01:19
nikarg

Written by Bad English on 23.11.2017 at 00:14

Wow, amazing revive I like concept about history, Greek BM history and all things, I like your reviews mam, please don't leave MS.

Haha, thanks mate, I don't intend to go anywhere
Loading...

Hits total: 6655 | This month: 8