Ecthirion formed in the UK back in 2008 by Guitarists-Gabriel Neale and Simon Treasure and was originally known as 'AxioM.' However, AxioM was already taken by some other bands so the group decided to change their moniker to Ecthirion just before their debut release-'Apocalyptic Visions'. Ecthirion offers up an exstreme Metal form of music which the band has pegged as Epic Orchestral UnBlack Metal. The question at hand is, how do you like your Molten Metal burger served? Raw, well done, blackened, or unblackened? If you said yes to all the above then you are going to love what Ecthirion has to offer.
In 2009 Ecthirion released a 5-track EP titled 'Apocalyptic Visions' on Soundmass Records. The five tunes featured on the EP include 1.Dawn of the Great Apocalypse, 2.Warmageddon, 3.Immortality, 4.Anthem for the Brave, 5.Veritas Vos Liberabit.
First off, I have to give the band props for the killer album art work as it fits perfectly with this band's genre and the overall atmosphere of the album. 'Apocalyptic Visions' portrays sort of a short epic adventure for the listener as it takes you on a journey from UnBlack Metal Vocal shrieks to Viking Metal to Classical Orchestra movements much like we find in many epic movies. If your not a big fan of UnBlack Metal due to the harsh non understandable vocals there's a strong probability that you are still going to like what Ecthirion brings to the table because the harsh deliveries are in the minority on this EP.
From track to track you are going to find such diversity that you will wonder if you are still listening to the same album. Every tune on this EP release is different in its own way, so if you find yourself not liking one song that doesn't mean you want like another. Even though there is such diversity from beginning to end, all tracks mesh well and the album just simply works.
From track to track you are going to find such diversity that you will wonder if you are still listening to the same album. Every tune on this EP release is different in its own way, so if you find yourself not liking one song that doesn't mean you want like another. Even though there is such diversity from beginning to end, all tracks mesh well and the album just simply works.
'Apocalyptic Visions' features various vocalist including Azahel Frost(Frost Like Ashes) who makes a guest appearance with his Blackened Vocal deliveries as well as Eugen Dodenhoeft who offers up the clean Vocal deliveries. Last but not least we have Josh Edwards rounding things out with his Operatic Vocal performances. The Opera style vocals work nicely with the Symphonic influences that Ecthirion incorporates throughout the EP.
The guitar work is handled by both Simon Treasure and Gabriel Neale. On the 2nd track "Warmageddon" there seems to be an attempt to try and blur the lines between orchestra and guitars as the guitar is played more like an orchestrated instrument but when the Blackened shrieks enter the scene, the guitars move to a driving heavier sound. Towards the end of "Warmageddon" our guitarists touch on some Power Metal as well. On the third track "Immortality" it starts off with some driving up-beat and up-lifting guitar riffs then touches on some sweet Thrash Metal along with some fast Power Metalesque riffs. The vocal work on "Immortality" really stands out with the song going back and forth between Death vocals and clean vocal work. The fourth track "Anthem For The Brave" opens to some slow riffage as it quickly speeds up with the use of what sounds like the double-bass pedal. On this track, the guitars seem to be used more to create atmosphere within the song but towards the end we are thrown a bone as there are some Thrash riffs that come into play and then a melodic explosion of guitar work is unleashed as the track comes to an end.
The first and last tracks are orchestrated movements which help to give us clues into the genius of this band as to where they get some of their influences.
The Keyboards are well done by Hannah Neale and play a huge part on this disc with there atmospheric touches.
Dominic Leach is our skin pounder and does a great job keeping time with various time changes from track to track. Leach also adds his part in the building of atmosphere which is a huge element in the UnBlack genre. I can't help but notice that some of his play sounds in keeping with Thrash styles as well.
The guitar work is handled by both Simon Treasure and Gabriel Neale. On the 2nd track "Warmageddon" there seems to be an attempt to try and blur the lines between orchestra and guitars as the guitar is played more like an orchestrated instrument but when the Blackened shrieks enter the scene, the guitars move to a driving heavier sound. Towards the end of "Warmageddon" our guitarists touch on some Power Metal as well. On the third track "Immortality" it starts off with some driving up-beat and up-lifting guitar riffs then touches on some sweet Thrash Metal along with some fast Power Metalesque riffs. The vocal work on "Immortality" really stands out with the song going back and forth between Death vocals and clean vocal work. The fourth track "Anthem For The Brave" opens to some slow riffage as it quickly speeds up with the use of what sounds like the double-bass pedal. On this track, the guitars seem to be used more to create atmosphere within the song but towards the end we are thrown a bone as there are some Thrash riffs that come into play and then a melodic explosion of guitar work is unleashed as the track comes to an end.
The first and last tracks are orchestrated movements which help to give us clues into the genius of this band as to where they get some of their influences.
The Keyboards are well done by Hannah Neale and play a huge part on this disc with there atmospheric touches.
Dominic Leach is our skin pounder and does a great job keeping time with various time changes from track to track. Leach also adds his part in the building of atmosphere which is a huge element in the UnBlack genre. I can't help but notice that some of his play sounds in keeping with Thrash styles as well.
The following are some lyric excerpts from the band's EP release:
"Immortality"
Death is chasing after you
Run fast you fool it's catching up
Satan's tearing at your mind
He wants your soul and bones to grind
Life's no game, it's real as hell
You think your mask will hide it well
Don't let yourself fade away
For I will miss you every day...
You cannot destroy my soul
Your filthy lies won't make me cold
My heart will never fade away
You cannot destroy me
I have immortality
You cannot destroy
"Anthem For The Brave"
Day is dawning on this fallen world
The morning star is rising
Eagles are soaring in the sky
And the sun is glistening on the water
The heart of the lion will set you free
A sacrifice for all to see
We ride over mountains
We sail across the seven seas
We fight for your glory
We ride over mountains
We sail across the seven seas
We fight for your glory
Ride over mountains
We sail across the seas
Fight for your glory
We will be free
The heart of the lion will set you free
All you mus do is truly believe
Ride over mountains
We sail across the seven seas
We fight for your glory
Death is chasing after you
Run fast you fool it's catching up
Satan's tearing at your mind
He wants your soul and bones to grind
Life's no game, it's real as hell
You think your mask will hide it well
Don't let yourself fade away
For I will miss you every day...
You cannot destroy my soul
Your filthy lies won't make me cold
My heart will never fade away
You cannot destroy me
I have immortality
You cannot destroy
"Anthem For The Brave"
Day is dawning on this fallen world
The morning star is rising
Eagles are soaring in the sky
And the sun is glistening on the water
The heart of the lion will set you free
A sacrifice for all to see
We ride over mountains
We sail across the seven seas
We fight for your glory
We ride over mountains
We sail across the seven seas
We fight for your glory
Ride over mountains
We sail across the seas
Fight for your glory
We will be free
The heart of the lion will set you free
All you mus do is truly believe
Ride over mountains
We sail across the seven seas
We fight for your glory
I read some of the lyrics to 'Frost Like Ashes' with Azahel as lead Vocalist and it seems to be a Christian UnBlack Metal band that makes it clear who they are serving with several Albums already released. So it you find yourself liking this EP by Ecthirion then you should check out the above mentioned band but be forewarned that some of their lyrics are on the darker side.
If you are looking for some new music to add to your collection that is off the beaten path then you are going to love what Ecthirion brings to the table.
Musicians:
Eugen Dodenhoeft-Clean Vocals(Guest Vocalist)
Azahel Frost-Black Vocals(Guest Vocalist)
Josh Edwards-Operatic Vocals
Hannah Neale- Keyboards, Vocals
Simon Treasure-Guitars, Bass, Programming
Gabriel Neale-Guitars, Bass, Programming
Dominic Leach-Drums
Eugen Dodenhoeft-Clean Vocals(Guest Vocalist)
Azahel Frost-Black Vocals(Guest Vocalist)
Josh Edwards-Operatic Vocals
Hannah Neale- Keyboards, Vocals
Simon Treasure-Guitars, Bass, Programming
Gabriel Neale-Guitars, Bass, Programming
Dominic Leach-Drums