Varathron are legends. One of the old guard of Greek Black Metal, alongside acts such as Rotting Christ, Necromantia, and Thou Art Lord, Varathron have played their signature bass-heavy Black Metal-mixed-with-Trad sound since the early 1990s. Five years ago they released Patriarchs of Evil, which was a phenomenal record that left me wanting more. Now, five years later, their new record The Crimson Temple is released (in December, bands need to stop releasing new things this month; it’s list season y’all). My expectations going into this album were pretty big, and I’m thankful to say Varathron have released another album worthy of your time. Starting with an instrumental intro, “Ascension” sets the stage for another bass-heavy Black Metal affair, with added Greek sounding parts, including a bouzouki and an accordion that wouldn’t be out of place in a market in Athens. After the intro “Hegemony of Chaos” bursts onto the stage; a classic Varathron song. This group’s formula has always been “Black Metal that doesn’t sound like second wave Black Metal” and it’s amazing they haven’t changed that.
The Crimson Temple has many different influences, including Trad (“Cimmerian Priesthood”), Thrash (“Immortalis Regnum Diaboli”) and Doom (“Constellation of the Archons”) in addition to Black Metal. The factor that sets this band apart from other bands playing a similar style is the catchy, fun sound they give the listener. It’s hard not to pump your fist at “Immortalis Regnum Diaboli”. The 1-2-3 punch string from “Hegemony of Chaos” through “Cimmerian Priesthood” also do their part in making the highs of this record stand strong. Now, is this album as immediate as Patriarchs of Evil? No. Some of the songs have a tendency to drag a small amount (“To the Gods of Yore”) being a prime offender here. While the intro is a good example of an intro setting up atmosphere well, it feels almost unnecessary in the greater context of the album as a whole. These are just nitpicks, however. It was going to be a nigh impossible task to reach the highs that Patriarchs of Evil had, and this band has managed to write a very good follow-up to a great album, which is never an easy task to accomplish. Varathron is still the greatest of the OG Greek Black Metal squadron, and The Crimson Temple has opened its doors for the faithful. It’s up to you if you choose to worship at this altar or not.
