Considering the metal community’s collective obsession with the Norwegian black metal scene for 30 years now, it’s easy to forget that Norway wasn’t alone in shaping metal’s most wicked subgenre. Down in Greece, an equally compelling black metal scene was brewing: A scene that consisted of bands like Rotting Christ, Necromantia, and the subject of today’s review, Varathron. Founded in 1988 by frontman Stefan Necroabyssious (one of the coolest pseudonyms ever), the band whose name translates to “extremely deep gorge” have been prowling through the underground for decades, now unleashing their 7th studio album, The Crimson Temple.
Now I’ll be the first to admit that when it comes to Varathron’s catalog, I’m most familiar with their “classic” output, consisting of their early demos and first two studio albums, their opus His Majesty at the Swamp (1993) and the almost equally brilliant Walpurgisnacht (1995). I checked out their last album, Patriarchs of Evil (2018) some time ago. While I was initially deterred by the blatantly modern production and refined musical approach, I came to appreciate it as yet another adventurous entry in the Varathron canon.
By and large, The Crimson Temple follows in this trajectory, especially the first half. Songs like “Hegemony of Chaos”, “Crypts in the Mist”, and “Cimmerian Priesthood” boast symphonic bombast, squeaky clean production, and emphasis on melody akin to modern day Samael and even Behemoth *shudders*. Make no mistake, Varathron remains far more fulfilling musically than both. However, one can’t deny the similarities in this album early on. This is a full fledged 21st century black metal record with little attempt of regressing back to the lo-fi murk of yesteryear, whether you and I like it or not.
While the raw production is all but a thing of the past, the old school black metal spirit dominates the songwriting and delivery of The Crimson Temple‘s latter half, starting with the slow and cryptic “Sinners of the Crimson Temple”. This bleak, Hellhammerian brand of blackened doom dominates on cuts like the devastating “To the Gods of Yore” and aptly titled “Swamp King”. Contrasting these dirges are violent black-thrasher “Immortalis Regnum Diaboli” (a neck snapper that wouldn’t sound out of place on an early Varathron demo) and melodic blackened folk suite, “Constellation of the Archons”, the latter showcasing Varathron’s undying knack for ambitious pieces.
Although The Crimson Temple may not be the most compelling release when compared to past Varathron outings, it does stand out when compared to the vast majority of today’s black metal crop. Sure, there are exceptions, but for the most part, this is a genre that’s become overwrought with complacency and cliché. Varathron defies this standard, incorporating just enough modern tendencies to keep things fresh without completely losing their identity in the process. The Crimson Temple is bound to initiate new members into the Varathron coven, perhaps even BlackCraft clad youngsters who believe black metal begins and ends with the aforementioned Behemoth. The figurative gateway to the swamp has never been more accessible than on this album.
7 out of 10
Label: Agonia Records
Genre: Melodic Black Metal
For fans of: Rotting Christ, Samael, Mortuary Drape