Katachthon/Raw Manifestation/2024 Full Length Review

 

  Greece's  solo  project  Katachthon  has  returned  with  a  new  recording  which  shows  the  music  moving  away  from  the  war  metal  style  of  previous  releases  and  going  for  a  mixture  of  first  wave  black,  thrash  and  heavy  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  self  released  2024  album  "Raw  Manifestation".

  A  very  dark  sounding  keyboard  orientated  intro  starts  off  the  album  while  also  adding  in  some  black  metal  screams  onto  the  recording  which  also  takes  the  music  into  a  heavier  direction.  Melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing  while  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  also  add  in a   great  amount  of  blast  beats.  

  A  lot  of  the  vocals  bring  in  more  of  a  spoken  thrash  metal  style  while  the  solos  and  leads  bring  in  more  of  an  80's  old  school  extreme  metal  approach.  Throughout  the  recording  you  can  also  hear  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  along  with  the  songs  also  mixing  in  a  lot  of  first  wave  black  metal  elements  and  influences  of  traditional  metal.

  All  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them,  keyboards  also  return  on  some  of  the  later  tracks  and  clean  playing  can  also  be  heard  briefly  as  well  as  some  of  the  faster  riffing  showing  an  influence  of  80's  era  Brazilian  black  and  death  metal.  The  production  sounds  very  old  school  while  the  lyrics  cover  Hellenic  Mythology  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Katachthon  and  if  you  are  a f an  of  first  wave  black,  thrash  and  heavy  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Revolution"  "Warrior  Spirit"  "A  Stone  For  Abel"  and  "Dreamer's  Sky".  8  out  of  10.

  Facebook

Instagram

Bandcamp

Spotify

Youtube

X    

Katachthon/Destroyer/Overlord/2021 Single Review

 

  Greece's  Katachthon  have  returned  with  a  new  recording  which  shows  the  music  going  for  more  of  an  old  school  mixture  of  war,  black.  death  and  thrash  metal and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2021  single  "Destroyer/Overlord".

  A  very  powerful  bass  guitar  sound  starts  off  the  single  before  adding  in  some  heavier  riffing  while  the  vocals  are  mostly  angry  sounding  shouts  that  also  adds  in  more  of  a  first  wave  vibe.  Melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing  along  with  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  also  adding  in  a  decent  amount  of  blast  beats  and  war  metal  elements.

  Most  of  the  music  is  also  very  heavily  rooted  in t he  80'a  and  early  90's  era  while  also  showing  an  influence  of thrash  metal.  Growls  can  also  be  heard  at  times  along  with  the  songs  also  adding  in  a  decent  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  as  well  as  the  solos  and  leads  also  remaining  true  to  an  old  school  style.

  On  this  recording  Katachthon  takes  the  first  and  second  wave  era's  of  black  metal  and  mixes  it  in  with  influences  of  war,  death  and  thrash  metal  to  create  something  very  different  from  their  previous  releases.  The  production  sounds  very  raw  and  old  school  while  the  lyrics  cover  War,  Hellenic  Mythology  and  History  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Katachthon  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  war,  black,  death  and  thrash  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  single.  RECOMMENDED  TRACK  "Overlord".  8  out  of  10.

https://katachthon.bandcamp.com/releases

        

Katachthon/Οιωνός θανάτου/2020 Single Review

  Greece's  Katachthon  have  returned  with  a  new  recording  which  shows  the  music  going  for  more  of  a  melodic  and    Hellenic  style  of  bestial  war  metal  from  their  previous  releases  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2020  single  "Οιωνός  θανάτου".

  A  very  dark,  distorted  and  heavy  sound  starts  off  the  demo  along  with  some  blast  beats  a  few  seconds  later.  Vocals  are  mostly  bestial  growls  while  blackened  metal  screams  are  also  utilized  at  times  while  the  riffs  also add  in  decent  amount  of  melody  and  all of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.

  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  while  the  songs  also  add  in  a  decent  mixture  of  slow  and  mid  tempo  parts.  The  war  metal  elements  of  previous  releases  also  have  a  less  dominating  presence  than  their  previous  releases,  clean  playing  and  synths  can  also be  heard  briefly.

  On  this  recording  Katachton  have  less  chaotic  style  than  their  previous  releases  and  goes  for  more  of  a  melodic  yet  bestial  black/death  metal  style. The  production  sounds  very  dark  and  raw  while  the  lyrics  are  written  in  Greek  and  cover  Hellenic  Mythology  and  History  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Katachton  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  bestial  black/death  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  single.  RECOMMENDED  TRACK  "Οιωνός  θανάτου".  8  out  of  10.

  https://katachthon.bandcamp.com/releases     

 

  

Katachthon/Declaration Of War/Black Sun Cult Productions/2015 EP Review

  Katachthon  are  a  duo  from  Greece  that  has  been  featured  before  in  this  zine  and  plays  a  Hellenic  form  of  black/war  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2015  ep  "Declaration  Of  War"  which  was  released  on  Black  Sun  Cult  Productions.

  A  very  fast,  raw  and  brutal  war  metal  sound  starts  off  the  ep  along  with  a  great  amount  of  blast  beats  and  the  vocals  also  bring  in  a  great  mixture  grim  black  metal  screams  and  bestial  death  metal  growls  and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  some  of  the  riffs  also  bring  in  a  small  amount  of  melody.

  When  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  done  in  a  very  chaotic  war  metal  fashion  and  the  music  also  brings  in  a  lot  of  Australian  and  Canadian  war  metal  influences  along  with  a  small  touch  of  Black  Witchery  style riffing  and  the  songs  also  bring  in  a  great  mixture  of  both  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  and  the whole  ep  remains  true  to  a  very  heavy  and  raw  musical  direction  from  beginning  to  ending  of  the  recording.

  Katachthon  creates  another  recording  that  remains  true  to    to  the  Hellenic  black/war  metal  sound  of  their  previous  recording  and  never  bring in  a  soft  or  weak  moment,  the  production  sounds  very  raw  yet  heavy  at  the  same  time  while  the  lyrics  cover  War  and  Hellenic  Mythology  and  History  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Katachthon  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  black  and  war  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  ep.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Trembling  Earth"  and  "Into  the  Pits  Of  Tartaros".

 https://katachthon.bandcamp.com/album/-     
    

Katachthon Interview

1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about th band?
1. We started the band in mid of 2013 by me Promachos handling vocals, guitars and bass and Enkelados on drums.


2.In May you had released a demo, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recording?
2. We wanted to create something that combines Bestial War metal with mythical / historical topics. After a year of rehearsals we recorded our first s/t demo on our own rehearsal studio. It’s raw, primitive and chaotic as it has to be.


3.Your lyrics cover Hellenic mythology and History, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in this topic?
3. I was always fascinated in our history/mythology, I have read tons of books of this and we never wanted to write lyrics that never express us. We got tired of this over-used thematology of Satanism, goat worship etc. We use our lyrical themes as a fist to the mediocre modern world of decay, material paranoia and nothingness. WE STAND AGAINST THEM.


4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Katachthon'?
4. Katachthon means ‘under the earth’ and is often referred to the ancient Hellenic god ZEUS. It is also synonymous with the word underground. After some months of research of a band name I found it on Hesiod’s ‘Theogonia’. I think that this name fit us.


5.Currently there are only 2 members in the band, are you planning on expanding the line up in the future or do you chose to remain a duo?
5. After the recording of our debut demo, two new members jointed a bass player and a rhythm guitar player for future live acts and recordings.


6.Has the band done any live shows yet or is this strictly a studio project?
6. Right now we are only a studio project, but In the future we are planning some.


7.The demo was released on cassette by Black Sun Cult Productions, can you tell us a little bit more about this label?
7. It is actually my own label, my purpose is to release Katachthon’s tapes on it, but also other bands into Black/Death metal.


8.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of black and war metal?
8. Great!! Until now, two weeks from its release we‘ve made many trades with other bands/labels from Greece and Europe.


9.Are any of the band members also involved with any other bands or musical projects these days?
9. No, we are totally dedicated in Katachthon!!


10.When can we expect a full length album and also where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
10. We are writing new material this time and we will record our second demo soon. For the full length we are planning for a mid-2016 release. Musically we will stay true to the roots of war, but we expect from ourselves every release to be different. We ‘ll  never copy our previews releases.


11.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
11. WAR METAL!!!  Some influences are Blasphemy,  Sarcofago, early Sodom , Proclamation , Bestial Warlust ,Unholy Archangel etc. Also a few Greek Black metal touches I must admit that exist. Now-days we hear mostly, almost all kinds of Black metal. From early ‘80s stuff to the blackest black.


12.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
12. First thanks for the review – interview. The only I can say to the Black metal maniacs out there, is to listen our demo, soon we will release another one, until then …. KEEP THE FLAME OF BESTIALITY ALIVE !!

Bandcamp

Katachthon/Self Titled/Black Sun Cult Productions/2015 Demo Review

  Katachthon  are  a  band  from  Greece  that  plays  a  very  bestial  form  of  war/black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  titled  2015  demo  which  was  released  by  Black  Sun  Cult  Productions.

  Rain  and  thunder  sounds  start  off  the  demo  along  with  some  militant  style  drumming  and  powerful  bass  guitars  a  few  seconds  later  and  after  the  intro the  music  starts  going  into  a  very  fast  and  raw  black/war  metal  direction  that  also  uses  bestial style  black/death  growls  and  a  great  amount  of  blast  beats.

  High  pitched  screams  can  be  heard  at  times  and  the  songs  also  bring  in  a  great  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  and  when  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  in a  very  dark  and  old  school  black/death  metal  direction  and  some  songs  also  mix  in  a  small  amount  of  melody  in  with  a  more  raw  and  bestial  style  and  some  of  the  alter  tracks  also  bring  in a  small  amount  of  sound  effects.

  Katachton  plays  a  very  raw  and  old  school  of  black/war  metal  that  also  mixes  in a  great  amount  of  bestial  growls  to create  some  very  dark,  heavy  and  aggressive  music,  the  production  sounds  very  dark  and  raw  while  the  lyrics  cover  War,  Hellenic  Mythology  and  History.

  In  my  opinion  Katachthon  are  a  very  great  sounding  black/war  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  demo.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Realm  Of  Hades"  and  "War  Against  All".  8  out  of  10. 

https://katachthon.bandcamp.com/album/katachthon

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRMrWJa-Fv8