CULT OF ERINYES state on their Bandcamp profile that the band was "spawned with the intention to distil artistic audacity into respected traditions". Their sound pays homage to the Second Wave of black metal, with more complex song structures added into the mix. I began with the question of whether or not the band could pull off this melding of tradition and more avant-garde elements. I ended up with a clear answer...

The story begins in the year 41 B.C., with a voiceover reminding me of the origins of Rome - men raised by wolves (aka the twins Romulus and Remus). The track ends by saying that wolves are hunters by nature, setting the scene for this concept album based on Ancient Rome. Thick layers of riffs and rich bass add to the sinister tone of "Nero (Divine Providence)". The guitar solo simmers, and is complimented by the solid foundation of the bass. The solo is one of the more nuanced moments of the album, and these nuanced parts is where the band is at their best. "Casvs Belli" and "Bred For War" both contain an instrumental section which makes for an effective bridge between the different phases of the song. "First of Men" is a slow-builder with a great main riff, and it ends with a flurry of old-school blast beating, to great effect.

A strength of the band is the songwriting - not only are there strong riffs galore, but their more progressive passages add variety, without drifting aimlessly. These introspective, cavernous parts make the blasting-and-tremolo parts more potent; they act as a musical release of sorts. I couldn't really find fault with the production - it was just right, and found balance between accommodating the multiple melodies while keeping some parts just hidden enough to result in new things being discovered upon further listens. "Tiberivs" is engaging to such an extent that it justifies its long run-time, and rewards the listener's patience. In the end, it was clear to me that CULT OF ERINYES has pulled off a melding of old-school and new(er)-school with aplomb.