Ithaqua "Initiation To Obscure Mysteries" (Iron Bonehead Productions 2015)

Killer old school Greek Black Metal in the vein of Varathrom Rotting CHrist, Thou Art Lord, Necromantia. Hellenic black metal revivalists Ithaqua have made an offering to the Great Old Ones of the Cthulhu Mythos with their Initiation to Obscure Mysteries demo. Judging from this debut effort they may yet wake them from their eternal slumber. This demo release date February 25th, 2015. 

Tracklist

1 Winds Of Ithaqua (Intro) 2:49

2 Sorcerers Of Profane Enchantments 7:36

3 Summoning The Incarnations Of The Worm 5:20

4 Abyssic Journey To The Elder Demons 8:28

5 Beyond The Cursed Lines     7:36 

Founding members N.C.M and Echetleos have been immersed in the Greek black metal scene for some time so it's natural for them to produce that type of black metal Greece is fabled for. Regenerating those sounds that they were raised on, this demo doesn't stray from seminal albums in the Greek scene such as Thy Mighty Contract, Non Serviam, His Majesty of the Swamp. We are treated to a granite hard wall of palm muted riffs bolstered by double bass kicks and a chunky pulsing bass. Short lead guitar work, especially on the second track Sorcerors of Profane Enchantment, harks back to tracks like Exiled Archangels. Vocal exchanges between deeper and raspier growls, with their Greek accents showing through add to variation in that department. Ethereal synths appear regularly and thankfully they're not overused. A welcome flute sound in Abyssic Journey to the Elder Demons recalls Tatir's old demos. The weighty guitar tone is upfront in the mix, though all instruments are audible to some degree. 

At three points in this demo a single raging tremolo riff introduces those militaristic galloping/ stomping sections common to 90's Hellenic black metal. Most black metal bands use this trick but it certainly never feels old here as they really make the listener anticipate what's coming next, such is the urgency and malevolent rawness of those riffs.

We of course have the non metal content such as the eerie intro and the melancholic spoken word final track book ending Initiation to Obscure Mysteries. There's always a temptation as die hard metalheads to skip these ones, after we've given them an initial listen, for our fix of metal. It's worth remembering though these works are integral to the Hellenic scene and the occult/ mythological themes in which they occupy. 

These guys are content to play like it's still the 90s and I don't see a problem with that as it's a style that's not yet been overdone nor was it overdone at least twenty years ago when the scene was largely overlooked in favour of their black metal brethren from the frostbitten north. The album opens with a dark ambient intro before the guitars and drums go to work in 'Sorcerers of Profane Enchantment'.  This is a great song, varying from slow, evil sounding black metal to intense and furious passages with blast beats, driving on fierce riffs.  Yet, it's mostly the keyboards that make this album so interesting.  These are not the overproduced orchestral arrangements of today, these are vintage minimal soundscapes, enhancing the mysterious and occult feel of the music.

The album continues is that epic tradition and slowly grows on the listener, at least on me.  At first it does indeed sound outdated but after a short while I really wish this demo was released twenty five years ago when I was discovering this style of music.  'Abyssic Journey to the Elder Demons' is arguably the absolute highlight of this album, proving not only their loyalty to the traditional Greek style but also proving that this duo knows a thing or two about songwriting.

The link album Ithaqua, HAIL GREEK BLACK METAL.