I’ll start this review by saying that the label of “ritual black metal” or any band of the black metal ilk referring to their concerts as ‘rituals’ is cringe-inducing on another level. However, every now and then we are given a band whose members have immersed their lives so deep into the beliefs and practices of what their band preaches, you feel you have stumbled upon a moment of worship and fanaticism which makes you feel part of it, be it at a gig or on record.

By this I am referring to Kawir, the unsung heroes of the Hellenic Black Metal canon whose experimenting with Greece’s ancient pantheon scripture and indigenous instruments, have mesmerised all black metal fandoms from the casual listener to the bespectacled academics.

Now they are back with album number nine, Κυδοιμοσ (Kydoimos) and another ritual in worship of the gods and goddesses of ancient Hellas is in full swing from the moment you hit the play button. I’ll begin by saying I didn’t notice as much experimentation here as I did on previous albums, but given how Kawir cemented themselves into the black metal world long ago, they will always remain as determined and pious in their persona however raw and primitive their music might be.

If you enjoy the rawer side of black metal that encompasses some atmospherics and is capable of lifting you to a level that worshippers of the lost religions of Europe’s most influential country can do, then this is for you. To put it bluntly, Kydoimos is how you would feel if you were on the hillside at Delphi witnessing the infamous Oracle performing an act of prophecy foretelling the fate of the future world. Accompanying said Oracle would be the muses whose exquisite tunes prepare your inner psyche for whatever dangers and challenges lie ahead.

Kawir are the muses whose love for the beliefs of their ancestors can make one proud to be Greek or give one the hope that the ancient antiquities of a time long forgot can remain relevant in the modern world.

What this album tells us is Kawir are not going away anytime soon, nor are the rituals, lifestyles and homages to the classic antiquities which, in my opinion, should be more common in black metal. Do check out this album, performed with pristine musicianship and aplomb, if you are one who is curious about the ancient world or wants to know just how unique the Hellenic black metal scene is when you delve deeper than the biggest names of said scene.

(9/10 Demitri Levantis)

https://www.facebook.com/kawirofficial

https://soulsellerrecords.bandcamp.com/album/kydoimos