SIRRUSH are here, with their debut full-length release, "Molon Labe," released 25th November 2022 via Non Serviam Records, with an EP released back in 2011 and two singles released in 2022.

Before diving into the review, with a debut release released in 2022, SIRRUSH was initially born from the metal ashes of 2007 by the current singer and co-composer, Otagron. Due to some changes in the line-up, the group decided to take a long break. In this time frame, Otagron focused on studying the guitar, which allowed him to develop exciting ideas for a new work named SIRRUSH. With a new lineup, where one member sparked my metal brain. That SIRRUSH features the guitarist Tiyris, who is no stranger to me -Tiyris is also the guitarist from an Italian (thrash) act, XENOS, where this band was featured in my review webzine.

The first two tracks I'd like to discuss are "The Path of Heroes" and "Deimos". "The Path of Heroes" is the opening piece which opens the album with an epic introductory instrumental (synth and drum strikes/beats) soundscape - following suit with the second piece, "Deimos" - which begins with smooth rhythms of the guitars - hitting that half-minute mark - the surge of the instrumental work kicks in with soaring riffage (melodies/rhythm sections)/complex fret-board shreds, brutal drum strikes and blast-beats, growling-demonic/blackened screams vocals.

The next topic for discussion is the fourth track, "With your Shield ..or on it", where Tiyris' guitar playing showcases. The piece opens with beautiful guitar chords, while a chorus of vocals and drum strikes are pushed in the background, giving the music that battle feel and atmosphere -(again) hitting the minute mark -the surge of the instrumental and vocals are brutal and fast.

Without going into much discussion of the music/songs - SIRRUSH is a great-sounding black/death act -with one difference, Tiyris' style is more technical and complex guitar player, so adding this "technically/complex and frenetic style of playing" to SIRRUSH'S black/death atmosphere, and not your standing black/death riffages/atmosphere, one would find in most black/death acts. Adding these complex/technical riffages to Otagron's blackened atmosphere adds something unique. At the same time, "Molon Labe" not only provides and delivers the listener's ears with incredible music -that's fast and brutal -simultaneously epic and darkly theatrical -where each piece has its own identity and a lyrical concept which is something else, while each melody/rhythm, beats, vocals, violence, modern and evocative riffs, and frantic and extreme rhythms describe the various phases of the lyrical theme- an album consisting of nine songs about a concept story set in Ancient Greece in the period of the famous Second Persian War (480 BC - 479 BC) where the tyrant king Xerxes, for his divine lust and power, the threatened the conquest of all Greece which was opposed by the courage of the Greek soldiers who, by rebelling, obtained the victory.

In my opinion, "Molon Labe" is a beast of an album -yet brutal -but epic, where the listener will find beauty within the music, the technicality of the guitars, the brutal-screaming vocals -like some commander charging forwarding his men, in the miss of battle. At the same time, there are moments of acoustic strumming, ambient keys additional female vocals -while the whole piece has a decent mixture of various tones, tempos and atmosphere, while the production sounds very professional.
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