Well, better late than never, I guess. Following the tradition wanting Greek bands exploding on stage then vanishing in a haze of mystery, Casus Belli returns after a short break of... four years with a brand new album, In The Name Of The Rose. I just hope that I don't have to wait 4 more years till the next album since my neck can't really stand the banging anymore (yeah, doom for me from now on!).
Casus Belli included (and still includes) the cream of the crop of the Greek Metal scene, well, at least a part of it. Started back in 1997, the band included Panos Deddes, known vocalist from Condemnation and probably the most cult Greek act Spitfire, and Panos Arvanitis on guitars (also from Condemnation). Their debut Mirror Out Of Time was released in 2001 and also included Fotis Anagnostou on bass (Nightfall), Fotis Gianakopoulos on drums and Bob katsionis on keyboards (Bob also happens to be one of the most known Greek musicians in the Metal scene). After the release, the band members spread in several other acts (for example Katsionis and Giannakopoulos teamed up with Septic Flesh in January 2003, also Katsionis joined Firewind etc.).
LMP is now releasing the band's second album. I wonder when these guys teamed up again. Oh, what the heck! Their second album kicks ass once again. Imagine something between traditional Metal and neoclassic Metal. Furious most of the time, it assaults the listener with a wall of sonic riffs and relentless drumming.
Panos Dedes once again delivers the goods. This guy has a voice to remember for a long time. Really heavy situations! Things don't cool down most of the time, lots of speed in here. The production by R.D. Liapakis is solid, the sound is like a steamroller - demolishing everything in its way. The artwork done by Axel Hermann gives an epic vibe to the whole outcome.
Bombastic tunes like I'm Your Master or Vengeance Is My Law... oh boy, is there a chance we'll see these guys live soon? After Airged Lamh's The Siver Arm back in 2004, this has to be on of the heaviest albums from Greece the last couple of years! Invest with no hesitation!