Thy FleshIt’s taken quite some time for this debut album to arrive from this Hellenic black metal horde. Apparently when they started out in 2004 and released a demo it was well received although was more of a death, thrash hybrid. After that they disbanded and disappeared in a puff of smoke only to reform with just one original member drummer Athan in the line-up along with guitarist, vocalist Cloven Hoof (lol) and bassist Haemophillius (I guess even with my limited Greek she has the habit to bleed a lot). Joking aside though as this is a damn serious album and it should also be said good things come to those who wait as it’s a damn formidable one too.

I pretty much found myself appreciating this on the first listen and it has grown further with repeated plays. Spiralling guitars unfurl and drums brood in over the opening title track before husky and guttural roars join the fray. It’s got an instant orthodox and occult vibe about it as it ploughs onwards with sinister finesse at its heart. Suddenly the track drops into unexpected slow ritualistic drum beats, completely altering the pace and making things all the more interesting. Then there’s a flurry of guitars take up a charging tumult as we whiplash into ‘Final Nights.’ If you put me on the spot and made me guess I would have this down as Swedish not Greek as there is a huge pulse of Watain / Dissection about it all and although there are stacks of bands that sound similar Thy Flesh have their craft well-honed and it’s not a complete carbon copy or anything like that. It’s a flaming and fiery evisceration and the words ‘ashes to ashes’ enforce that feeling from the vocalist who puts on an impressively savage performance throughout this. ‘Rape Magic’ has slithering guitars oozing around the filthy vocal croaks and it sounds like some sort of nefarious spell is being cast before that jagged, spiky guitar and drums power in obliterating as they shred and pummel away. But it’s not all one speed as the band have slower passages adding crepuscular doom to things before that flailing dervish which will now be embedded in your head charges in again.

It’s a sharp and snappy album delivering seven tracks in under 40 minutes and as it weaves its way through songs like the gloriously titled ‘Temple Of Absinth’ it pretty much captivates with its varied but always precise speeds and atmospheres. As a creepy piano piece ‘Extremity Unbound’ wraps us in total gloom and darkness at conclusion this has been an immersive journey that I am happy to have undertaken.

(7.5/10 Pete Woods)

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