This is actually the second release by German Symphonic Metal band Oknos, but the first one I’ve heard (soon to be remedied if their previous CD is even half as good as this one…), and as I sit here, listening to “From Ashes”, with its excellent compositions by fabulous musicians playing intelligent arrangements, I scan over the classy top quality CD packaging and look for the logo of the clever record label who have had the foresight and gumption to sign this promising band. There isn’t one. It’s self-released. It’s even been mixed and mastered by Jacob Hansen, got a proper choir, and real orchestra for goodness sake!! I’m quite stunned to be honest.
Not only are the performances by the band top notch, the songs are rather bloody good too. It would be easy to name-drop bands like Beyond The Black, Ad Infinitum, Leaves’ Eyes or even Nightwish as musical starting points, but these comparisons are merely a way in, as Oknos bring their own identity to this album right from the start, Vocally, there’s male clean and harmonising voices which augment and compliment the gorgeous lead vocals of Johanna Bensmann, who brings glistening life to the myriad of memorable melodies throughout the album. There’s also a good dose of folk elements (always a winner with me) to go alongside the cinematic and epic nature of many of the songs, which manage to come across as both accessible, yet at the same time as having hidden depths and undiscovered gems, which unveil themselves gradually with further plays. The first listen certainly hooks you in, but subsequent spins make you return for more.
The band have been lucky enough to have sported the same line-up since their inception back in 2013 (which comes across in the tightness of the music), with the exception of vocalist Bensmann. As I understand it, this is her first album – so not only was she a great find by the band, puts in a fantastic performance, but also has the potential to get even better as her confidence grows! There’s great variation in style to the songs too. Although in the main they are classy, soundtrack quality Symphonic Metal, Oknos can turn their hand expertly to other Symphonic Metal avenues, like something with a more synth-orientated modern feel on ‘World Of Insanity’, or a Nemesea/Moonlight Haze style catchy groover like “Searching”.
But let’s be honest, with the talent on offer here it would be a travesty if Oknos didn’t show all elements they are capable of. I keep coming back to the intelligent arrangements, because as powerful and tight as the rhythm section is and as driving and dynamic as the guitar exudes, it’s those extra touches like the violin on the title track, the tin/low whistles on ‘Haven Of Tranquility’ and ‘Memories’ or the orchestra and choirs throughout (used just enough to make the arrangements shine rather than swamp them), that show real attention to detail. I’m impressed (as if you couldn’t tell) and it’s albums like this that remind me how lucky I am that I get to hear them and spread the word in my own small way. After all, I forget so many times as I listen once more to this excellent album, that this is actually an unsigned band who have released an album which is potentially a showcase for any record label with a modicum of sense to get on board with and distribute further afield. And what a showcase – 16 tracks at over 65 minutes and not a filler amongst them. Top quality indeed.
(9/10 Andy Barker)
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