Well, what can I say? Ayloss – the man behind Spectral Lore, Mystras, Fortress of the Pearl and numerous other black metal projects has kept his reputation as the hardest working man in the Greek black metal milieu. It certainly is hard to think how one man has spurned a countless array of one-man projects over the last two decades and has cemented his nation into the highest echelons of the newest wave of black metal – one that is not scared of experimentation and is vehemently anti-fascist.

As a left leaning Greek person it always makes me happy knowing the master of such a movement is putting out more material to give higher levels of hope to the posterity of new black metal musicians who will oust the despicable “apolitical” crypto-fascist bilge from the greatest music genre of all time. And my heart beats with joy hearing the sophomore full length album from his project: Auriferous Flame – one that has elements of rawness, atmosphere and a medieval and fantasy inspired track listing.

Anyone familiar with Ayloss’s rawer work like Mystras will be blown away the moment you put this piece on as the hypnotic indecipherable blaze of blast beats, shredding strings and unclear vocals will have you on the edge of your seat for the best part of nine minutes. As one who doesn’t always dig long songs I applaud this musical enigma of a man who has made it possible for me to stay hooked from start to finish.

What seems to set this project aside from some of his other works is the subtlety of the lyrics, which cover themes of medieval societies rising up against despotic rulers and the common people establishing a new kingdom and way of life that has fueled other anti-fascist black metal works both from Ayloss and abroad. Having the ability to tell a fabulous fantasy story and keep the ever angry fire of the battle against bigotry ablaze is the highest achievement such a musician can gain as Ardor for Black Majesty showcases.

Instrumental pieces are also a high level of impression here making use of archaic and contemporary instruments that reflect just how versatile a bard Ayloss is in his output. The ability to bring such historical artistry into the mix adds a flavorsome edge you don’t see in many other bands of Auriferous Flame’s ilk and that keeps its head above the metaphysical parapet.

Overall this is another 50-minute outing that solidifies Greece as the leading European power in the fight against fascism in metal. Such albums as this make me proud of my heritage and offer an artistic quality a casual observer would not expect from one of the continents poorest nations. Keep up the fight with your musical glory, Ayloss.

(9/10 Demitri Levantis)

https://www.facebook.com/Auriferousflame

https://truecultrecords.bandcamp.com/album/ardor-for-black-mastery