Entry 328 - Aristarchos - Aristarchos

 

I'll be honest here, the cover on this one got me. I have not heard this album prior to a few days ago when I picked this up. The cover was just too damn cool to pass up. The mysterious/post apocalyptic vibes that it gave off were enough for me to be incredibly curious.

Aristarchos play a pretty intense version of melodic black metal. This isn't really anything I haven't heard before, but it also falls into the category of "it's so well executed it's impossible to ignore."

During the five songs of Aristarchos' album the band demonstrates mastery over the black metal art. The band has an excellent sense of what makes an album flow. It is melodic when it needs to be, it is vicious when it needs to be, it's incredibly violent throughout, and it's quiet and brooding when it's called for. Excellent pacing and a great sense of what is needed for a song and WHEN it is needed as well.

Nothing on this album overstays it's welcome. Each riff is well crafted and knows exactly the amount of time it should stay around. The keyboards are complimentary and don't call undue attention to themselves... all while adding to the already incredibly dense atmosphere. The drums while not mind blowing know exactly what to do and when to do it (sense a theme here?)... especially when to go all out on the blast beats. It brings a smile to my face when the drummer goes ham.

Aristarchos are a band that shows immediate potential. The five songs on the album are all well above average and not a moment is wasted. Fantastic debut that I'm very glad I checked out.