Varathron - Patriarchs Of Evil (EN)

The Greek bedrock Varathron are still not tired of making music after 30 years of band history and therefore they present their 6th album end of april to the listeners.

So time to listen. Well, "Patriarchs of Evil" starts with "Tenebrous", a song that really sounds like Heavy Metal. Indeed, it keeps this sound as basic tone but they lay a great Black Metal setting on it. The growls always have a dead easy reverb and perfectly fit in with the guitars and the remaining sound.

The mid-tempo-sound typical for the band creates a real relaxed mood that is intensified by flaky melodies. Well, maybe it is a hazard that the music has similarity to a great extent to Rotting Christ (2000-2010), however, it is praised as an selling point (especially as Rotting Christ is also from Greece and so to say has the same genre). Slight side blows of Primordial paired with Edge Of Sanity ("Remnants Of The Dark Testament ") comes also to ones mind. But this is also the big blind spot because there are so many bands one can name in thought that it is hard to find something new or band-owned. Especially the band is focused on a period that is 10 til 20 years earlier.

The bass and the drums are really good but not so extreme that one can think they play like the devil. Varathron also use keyboard sounds ("Luciferian Mystical Awakening") even though there is no keyboard player in the band.

Conclusion: It is a great album, a good mix with a fine atmosphere. The balancing act between Black and Heavy Metal as basic and interspersed progressive elements turns the album into an outstanding output. However, this is no high pioneering here.

Rating: 7,5/10

Recommendations: Saturnian Sect, Orgasmic Nightmares Of The Arch Desecrator, Ouroboros Dweller (The Dweller Of Barathrum)