Ixone
Hellenic Black Metal has, from its inception, shown striking differences from nearly everything that might be categorized as traditional Black Metal. Eldingar’s latest record, Lysistrata, is no exception. Since its first release, Eldingar has forged a unique sound that melds a wide variety of influences—from Thrash and Melodic Death Metal to folk music—into its style. With that, let’s dive in.
Lysistrata is something of an odyssey in itself, both in terms of songwriting and concept. The album’s primary themes are anti-war sentiments and nature, while also exploring the nature of humanity through the lens of Greek philosophy. These ideas are bound together in a story centered around Ares, the Greek god of war, with an unexpected twist.
Musically, the best way to describe this record is “complex”, and that complexity arises from multiple factors. From the range of sounds included to the intricate song structures, it all screams “Maximalism”—and in a good way. Most tracks span around 10 minutes, providing ample time to explore ambitious musical ideas in ways that may be unprecedented. For example, the fourth track, “Therasia,” includes everything from intense, epic riffs to acoustic interludes, slower, groovier sections, and more. The title track, “Lysistrata,” even features a traditional vocal section that lends it an extra touch of authenticity. If the array of sounds becomes overwhelming, the album offers a reprieve with “Inside Cosmos”, a soothing guitar composition midway through, intricate yet meditative. (I can’t help it—I might dig this piece a little too much; the music nerd in me is definitely showing!)
On the other hand, a few elements make Lysistrata somewhat challenging to get through. First, the album often lacks the intensity needed to drive certain songs forward, mainly because many tracks are either mid-paced or slow. Additionally, the Black Metal aspects of this record are somewhat subdued by everything else going on. Often, I found myself questioning whether I was listening to a Black Metal or a MeloDeath album. This may not bother everyone, but personally, I felt there was too little Black Metal influence for this album to fit comfortably within the genre. I understand when bands want to avoid clichés, but sometimes this can go too far, leaving little of the original genre. Lysistrata, unfortunately, suffers from this.
Overall, Eldingar has put forth a solid effort with this record, although I suspect it will also signal the band’s shift away from Black Metal—a direction that only time will reveal. I’d recommend this album to anyone looking to ease into extreme Metal and to those intrigued by the description I’ve shared.
Label: Vinyl Store
Release date: 1 November, 2024
Website: https://www.facebook.com/p/Eldingar-band-100063529060207/
Country: Greece
Score: A tragic 3.5/5.0
Metal Eclipse Reviews 