I have very few acts from Cyprus in my collection whether physical or digital as this five-piece unleash their sophomore album. The band’s simple moniker belies the complexity of the seven (plus an intro) tracks they have crafted. This Cypriot band has taken the time to produce an album that listens like a concept album, everything feels like it is linked, particularly in how the album flows but also the translation of the song titles if my research is reliable that is.
Opener ‘Katavasis’ is an intro and translates possibly as ‘Descent’, as its eerie and industrial like methodology flows cohesively into ‘Apognosis’, which may mean despair, and with a song titled as such you know that the sonic output is going to be one of utter desolation and to some degree it is. With the song bursting in with ceremonious violence that industrial vibe seems to thread into the song still after the intro. However, don’t misinterpret this, as Temple Of Evil are black metal through and through offering the listener an epic style on the lengthy tracks. I found myself wondering who is a reference point for this band and whilst I came up a raft of bands none really fit what this band is actually like, but certainly acts like Mortuary Drape, Root and their ilk are good acts to mention.
I couldn’t find out what ‘Avtaparnisis’ meant and was sent in circles trying so but this excellent song starts superbly with a very cool riff and atmospheric backing. Ingrained here also is a fine guitar hook, that continues through its duration with varying degrees of power but always there as this tune had me thinking about earlier Behemoth material. ‘Epignosis’ also starts brilliantly, with a snare roll opening linked to fine guitar hooks, the song possesses intensity and finesse equally, as a dread, almost menacing, factor is unfurled through it.
None of the songs here are filler, each offering its own subtleties and outright fury as I did like the colossal ‘Metousiosis’ which I believe may mean inner strength, but I could be incorrect. This nine-minute epic runs through a gamut of moods, a sinister opening melded to a build-up that unleashes a half-blasted tempo loaded with myriad of hooks and melodies. Melody is also what this album is about, every song is dowsed with it as the song loves its riff changes and slight tempo deviations. Another factor I enjoyed about this album is the drum sound, possessing an organic natural feel without dilution of power or intent, it has depth alongside the rest of the production and mix as the title track continues the musical exploration.
The title track possibly means redemption and whilst the song has that intrinsic fury it also has more epic song writing as I really enjoyed the vocals here, and throughout the album. Again, the song is loaded with atmospherics, eeriness going hand in hand with the acerbic nature as the song feels like the climax to the album before the extended outro piece. Said closer ‘Anavasis’ which possibly means ascent, and would make sense if the opener means ascent, smoothly follows the title track, and comes across like the calm after the storm, a strangely uplifting tune that has a sense of relief to it as this second album by Temple Of Evil is well worth looking up.
(8.5/10 Martin Harris)
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