EP REVIEW: Yoth Iria – Under His Sway

Featuring two of Greece’s most renowned musicians, YOTH IRIA are here with their debut EP of Black Metal destruction. Out via Cult Never Dies and Repulsive Echo Records on March 1st.

Tranquil ambience and piano starts off the EP with a far more relaxed beginning than I anticipated. Huge soaring lead guitars soon begin chiming in a melodic display before rhythmic chugging and drums with spoken word build towards the huge layers of blistering Black Metal that ensue. Tides of ferocious guitars and blastbeats wash over you with a rampaging melodic storm of magnificence which is captured by a gorgeously clear production.

The music marches forth with battle-ready atmospherics and plucky grooves that are captivatingly played to make for a haunting and powerful listen, especially when the occasional chants are used to add a ritualistic touch to things. Monstrously heavy, classic Greek Black Metal is exactly what we get, a conjuration of beauty and devilish soundscapes that draws on the sounds of Rotting Christ, Varathron and Thy Art Lord, which is to be expected with the two members being involved with all of these bands. There are also plenty of parts that are comparable to Dissection (specifically the “Reinkaos” album), a further element that I think most Black Metal fans will commend. Blistering infernos of melodic and chilling guitars layered over cascading walls of brilliant drums and macabre vocals, interspersed with ambience and haunting orchestration altogether make for a gloriously monolithic listen.

With traditional Greek sections adding to the ambient side of things, there is so much going on in this three track opus, thankfully it is all tied together marvellously and feels very genuine rather than a mess of random ideas. The solos are stunning, the rhythms are catchy and it all comes together with a natural beauty that is hypnotic to witness. Yoth Iria have stormed onto the scene with a truly monstrous debut release. -8.5/10