Greek Metal is really a strong and proud reality by now. But the scene of the country was constructed and evolved slowly since the second half of the 80s. Bands like ROTTING CHRIST, NECROMANTIA, VARATHRON and NIGHTFALL gave a boost on the scene, because they were the first ones to call attention to the Greek underground scene. But now, many and great names comes from that land, an in all Metal styles you can think of, names as STONE COLD DEAD, SUICIDAL ANGELS and many more. AMONGRUINS, from Athens, is really a promising band, as their second album, called "No Light", is here to prove.

They are a Melodic Death Metal band, but as Big Daddy here always says, fuck the labels, because they can't always reflect the reality. Their work has a strong classical approach in Death Metal terms, with some nasty and oppressive moments, and the melodies are not that ones that we all are used from Melodic Death Metal bands from Sweden. No, their melodies are as harsh and dry as their musical violence (the melodies are evident on the guitar solos), and it's a very good point, because it makes their musical personal. Yes, they have guts and personality, and this makes "No Light" a very good album. Tuomas Saukkonen produced "No Light", and made the mixing and mastering as well. His work is really very good, because he preserved the rawness and brutal tunes the band music needs, but with a very good sense of clarity (because without it, their musical efforts should be lost). Yes, it's aggressive, but clear. The art for the cover created by Hel Pyre is very good as well.

All of the songs on "No Light" are excellent. But the brutal "Sear Sacrifice" (with excellent melodic parts and guitar solos), some modern elements that permeates "Love for Bruises (Run 'Em & Fuck 'Em)" and "Beneath the Waves" (both with excellent parts from bass guitar and drums), the brutal grasp imposed on the melodic and technical "No Light", the strong and insanely brutal "We Will Fight" and "Spirits", and the excellent mix between aggressiveness and melodies on "Don't Look Behind" (pay attention to the guitar duos and solos).

They really can make the Athenian lands tremble!