Hilasterion is a Melodic Death Metal band from Vaasa, Finland that formed back in 2003 by Anders Olin and William Rönn. Hilastherion combines Death Metal with Power Metal giving the band a unique uplifting Death Metal sound. If I had to make a comparison, I would say that this Scandinavian band sound is not unlike that of 'Children Of Bodom' or 'Dark Tranquility'.
Not long after Anders & William had formed the band, they began looking for a shredder and soon discovered guitarist-Niclas Buss. Niclas was then contacted and promptly joined the band filling the void in their guitar section. With Niclas on board, the band got to work preparing material for a debut release.
The band's moniker was chosen due to two different factors with one being that it had a cool Death Metal look & sound to it and the other being the meaning behind it. Hilastherion - is a propitiation or a means of appeasing a problem.
Not long after Anders & William had formed the band, they began looking for a shredder and soon discovered guitarist-Niclas Buss. Niclas was then contacted and promptly joined the band filling the void in their guitar section. With Niclas on board, the band got to work preparing material for a debut release.
The band's moniker was chosen due to two different factors with one being that it had a cool Death Metal look & sound to it and the other being the meaning behind it. Hilastherion - is a propitiation or a means of appeasing a problem.
In 2007 Hilastherion released their debut full-length studio album titled 'Taken from Darkness' on Maanalainen Levykauppa Records. The album was produced by Niclas Buss and was recorded at Niclas' Ministudio. 'Taken from Darkness' was mixed at 'Room Of Doom Studios' in Sollentuna, Sweden and mastered at Midas Studios in Karperö, Finland. The production is tight and from track to track one will find that there are no filler tracks to skip over.
Normally, this listener doesn't gravitate towards Death Metal bands due to not being able to understand what the vocalist is singing about. However, frontman-William Rönn's Death vocals have a cleaner delivery making the lyrics easier to understand and making this project more accessible to a larger audience.
The line up for 'Taken from Darkness' was comprised of vocalist-William Rönn, guitarist/vocalist-Niclas Buss(Northern Flame, Jernlov), bassist-Henrik Fellman, Keyboardist-Anders Bengs, drummer-Joel Björkstrand,
and guest session musician-Jani Stefanovic(Divinefire, Mehida).
Normally, this listener doesn't gravitate towards Death Metal bands due to not being able to understand what the vocalist is singing about. However, frontman-William Rönn's Death vocals have a cleaner delivery making the lyrics easier to understand and making this project more accessible to a larger audience.
The line up for 'Taken from Darkness' was comprised of vocalist-William Rönn, guitarist/vocalist-Niclas Buss(Northern Flame, Jernlov), bassist-Henrik Fellman, Keyboardist-Anders Bengs, drummer-Joel Björkstrand,
and guest session musician-Jani Stefanovic(Divinefire, Mehida).
Niclas Buss(Northern Flame, Jernlov) heads up the guitar section and delivers up an electrifying guitar performance throughout this project. From beginning to end, Niclas' show his prowess behind the 6-strings with technical melodic play and some extremely fast shredin'. The guitar work does not dissapoint, there are plenty of solos and Power Metal riffs to sink ones teeth into helping to create mood and atmosphere within the arrangements.
Lyrics are evangelical and thought provoking as one can see in the following excerpts:
"Sick And Rotten World"
But in all this utter darkness I felt
A friend of mine came by and saw my pain
He told me about the greatest One
He who was and is and forever will be
IT'S A SICK AND ROTTEN WORLD
IT SEEMS SO DEAD TO ME
FILLED WITH HATE, GREED AND PAIN
BUT I KNOW I CAN CHANGE THE WORLD
BECAUSE THE ONE IN ME
IS BIGGER THAN HE WHO IS IN THE WORLD
"Jesus Rules"
Here me all you people
I have something to tell you
There is a Man that has changed the course of history
His name is Jesus and He loves you
He was, He is, and He always will be
Jesus is His name
And He always will be, Jesus is His name
The Saviour of mankind
Jesus Rules
And He wants to rule your life as well...
"See The Pain In His Face"
We all have times of misery
When we ask God why do we go through this all
But we know one man that has suffered more
His name is Jesus and He suffered for you and me
SEE THE PAIN IN JESUS' FACE
WHEN THEY PIERCE HIS HAND
SEE THE PAIN IN JESUS' FACE
WHEN THEY PIERCE HIS FEET
SEE THE PAIN IN JESUS' FACE
WHEN HE TAKE THE SINS FROM US AWAY
"Judgement Day"
We have gone so freaking blind
We talk about Jesus love
But we cannot reach out a helping hand
To all those people needing one
WHEN THE JUDGEMENT DAY COMES
WILL YOU BE ABLE TO STARE IN TO JESUS' EYES?
WHEN HE ASKS: "WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?"
"TO ALL THOSE PEOPLE I LOVE LIKE MY OWN SON"
But in all this utter darkness I felt
A friend of mine came by and saw my pain
He told me about the greatest One
He who was and is and forever will be
IT'S A SICK AND ROTTEN WORLD
IT SEEMS SO DEAD TO ME
FILLED WITH HATE, GREED AND PAIN
BUT I KNOW I CAN CHANGE THE WORLD
BECAUSE THE ONE IN ME
IS BIGGER THAN HE WHO IS IN THE WORLD
"Jesus Rules"
Here me all you people
I have something to tell you
There is a Man that has changed the course of history
His name is Jesus and He loves you
He was, He is, and He always will be
Jesus is His name
And He always will be, Jesus is His name
The Saviour of mankind
Jesus Rules
And He wants to rule your life as well...
"See The Pain In His Face"
We all have times of misery
When we ask God why do we go through this all
But we know one man that has suffered more
His name is Jesus and He suffered for you and me
SEE THE PAIN IN JESUS' FACE
WHEN THEY PIERCE HIS HAND
SEE THE PAIN IN JESUS' FACE
WHEN THEY PIERCE HIS FEET
SEE THE PAIN IN JESUS' FACE
WHEN HE TAKE THE SINS FROM US AWAY
"Judgement Day"
We have gone so freaking blind
We talk about Jesus love
But we cannot reach out a helping hand
To all those people needing one
WHEN THE JUDGEMENT DAY COMES
WILL YOU BE ABLE TO STARE IN TO JESUS' EYES?
WHEN HE ASKS: "WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?"
"TO ALL THOSE PEOPLE I LOVE LIKE MY OWN SON"
Seven years after the publication of their debut album, Hilastherion followed up with the release of their 2014 full-length sophomore album titled 'Signs of the End' on Die And Gain Records. This second release finds the band's sound continuing in the veins of their debut album with plenty of quality Death Metal from beginning to end.
In 2019, sixteen years after the band's conception, Hilasterion shows no signs of stopping with the release of their 4-track EP titled 'Psalm 59' on Rottweiler Records. One song here worth checking out is track-1 "Psalm 59" which is an impressive Progressive Melodic Death Metal tune.
This is one band that doesn't disappoint, so if you're looking for some Melodic Death Metal to add to your collection then look no further than Finland's very own - Hilastherion. Without question, this band has delivered up some solid offerings over the years. Let's help support the band by picking up a copy of both their debut & sophomore albums along with their EP release.
Purchases can be made at any of the following links:
Musicians:
William Rönn - Lead Vocals
Niclas Buss - Guitars, Vocals
Zackarias Böckelman - Guitars (2019-present)
Henrik Böckelman - Bass, Vocals (2011-present)
Jari Ketola - Drums (2011-present)
Trygve Strömvall - Keyboards (2015-present)
William Rönn - Lead Vocals
Niclas Buss - Guitars, Vocals
Zackarias Böckelman - Guitars (2019-present)
Henrik Böckelman - Bass, Vocals (2011-present)
Jari Ketola - Drums (2011-present)
Trygve Strömvall - Keyboards (2015-present)