SATYROS, it has been quite a while since I heard this blackened Death Metal band from Germany. The last time was when I listened to their EP / Demo, released in 2009, which goes by the name of "A Day Of Rain". What I didn't know was that this little release two years prior would be the one of the foundations to the band's official sophomore release. After I was hailed by the band's vocalist, Matthias aka Cerberus, regarding the newly "Riven" album, I had to find out what were these guys up to in the past two years.

To tell you the truth, I thought that "A Day Of Rain" was a solid release but no more than that. I found a true potential in this band, but they were no match for the northern bands of Scandinavia when it comes to Black Metal or melodic Death Metal or the wintery aura that both share. Although they had their moments on "A Day Of Rain", I came to the notion that this trio still had a lot to learn. When I listened to "Riven" I kind of expected that it would be even better. However, even with a few changes, I wouldn't say that SATYROS made such a progress.

Well, some would probably disagree with me because SATYROS did display a rather complex material in comparison to the past. Truth be told, they composed some out of the ordinary riffages and utterly diverse passages while melody scoured above them. With that I can't argue, the band did went under a certain development. However, on most of the material it was as if the complicated riffs were as if those were forced upon just to make something different. That is why it was hard for me to connect to the majority of the material. Moreover, in the production section it came to be that SATYROS's sound almost had not depth at all. Even if it can be assumed that these guys wanted to sound old school, or even partly, I don't think that they truly thought through about what they are going to sound like or at least test a few other possibilities. Also I might add that this band needs a true drummer on the recording and in the lineup. I am sure that with a drummer's perspective, the rhythms would sound and feel lot better.

Don't get me wrong, SATYROS did introduce some cool moments as on "Lost In Grey", "Moments Of Mine" and "Traumhallen". However, those trio tracks were once featured their early EP. Probably the band's greatest success on the album was "Seizing the Sceptre of God" that however short it was, it told its own tale with prominence. I can say that its connection to Black Metal was circumstantial, as it went to the direction of Death Metal with swarming melodies. If SATYROS would have implemented the likes of this one and the likes of the others I mentioned, they would go far for sure. If you are a fan of DISSECTION or DIMMU BORGIR, I think you will like this band and if you would give them a chance, you will notice that the talent is there.