Continuing the History of Metal through short (trivia packed) chapters and accompanying playlists.
Thanks for all the support of Part 1 of these ongoing series! You asked me for more, here it is :)
Work in progress, will be posting irregularly (but...
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When you think "Black Metal", you likely think about the 2nd wave of Black Metal during the late 80's and the early 90's and in particular the infamous True Norwegian Black Metal legions that spearheaded the whole thing.
However, there was another scene that absolutely left its mark on the evolution of the genre: the Hellenistic Black Metal scene that has terrorized Greece since the early 90's.
Where the Norwegians had taken the work of Thrash and early Black Metal bands to extreme new heights, by ripping away melodies and production values and often would not take their foot off the gas, their Greek contemporaries took a very different approach to create their evil and threatening version of Black Metal music.
So, what sets this scene apart? Well, very much like the Italian Symphonic Death Metal bands who would follow later, these Mediterranean bands embraced melody, often slowed down to mid-paced and sometimes Doom-like slow tempos, while – at least those who could afford it – a much warmer production than their Scandinavian counterparts. In general, the Greek bands allow more influences of classic Heavy and Death Metal to seep into their sound.
Although not remotely as extreme as the havoc that was created by the bands in Bergen and Oslo, the Greek scene definitely faced their share of controversy, criticism, and censorship. Not in the least the absolute leader of the pack: Rotting Christ. Given that most of Mediterranean Europe was quite religious at the time, that feels hardly surprising. The band themselves have stated they're not trying to be Satanic. The name was meant more as a criticism towards the corrupt state of religion and the band's lyrics usually explore occultism more than hate-spewing Satanism.
Other pioneers in the scene were Thou Art Lord and the iconic Varathron, who are currently enjoying their 2nd comeback. We can't forget to mention Astarte as well: the female pioneers, who paved the way for women in the – let's be honest – very male-dominated world of Black Metal.
Just as many Nordic bands have drawn inspiration from ancient Scandinavian folk tales and sagas, so have the Greek bands explored ancient Greek myths. Maybe even more so in later years, where bands like Kawir, Hell Poemer, and Macabre Omen have released some of their absolute best work!
This playlist celebrates the best of 25 years of Hellenistic Black Metal, are you ready to cross the Styx with us and venture into the abyss of the Greek underworld?
Playlist:
01. Rotting Christ: Exiled Archangels (1993)
02. Varathron: Unholy Funeral (1993)
03. Thou Art Lord: The Era of Satan Rising (1994)
04. Necromantia: Scarlet Witching Dreams (1995)
05. Agatus: Under the Spell of the Dragon (1996)
06. Deviser: The Rape of Holiness (1996)
07. Zemial: Sleeping Under Tartarus (1996)
08. Astarte: Black Mighty Gods (2004)
09. Kawir: Χαῖρε Βάκχε (Hail Bacchus) (2012)
10. Hell Poemer: Temple of The Apollonian Wisdom (2013)
11. Kult Of Taurus: Tree of Gifts Pt. 1 - Void (2013)
12. Macabre Omen: I See, The Sea! (2015)
13. Varathron: Remnants of the Dark Testament (2018)
