Kawir - Exilasmos - review
Kawir - Exilasmos - review
Tracklist
01. Lykaon02. Oedipus
03. Tantalus
04. Thyestia Deipna
05. Agamemnon
06. Orestes
A review by
nikarg November 21, 2017
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)
Comments
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Wow, amazing revive I like concept about history, Greek BM history and all things, I like your reviews mam, please don't leave MS.
---- I stand whit Ukraine and Israel. They have right to defend own citizens. Stormtroopers of Death - "Speak English or Die"  I better die, because I never will learn speek english, so I choose dieing
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Posts: 8272 Written by Bad English on 23.11.2017 at 00:14 Haha, thanks mate, I don't intend to go anywhere 
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