Info
- Band(s): Funeral Storm
- Label(s): Hells Headbangers Records
- Release Format(s): 12" vinyl, Cassette, CD
- Release Year: 2024
- Review Date: August 9, 2024
- Author(s): Dzor, FelixS
If there is one man that is to be commended for keeping the flame of Hellenic Black Metal alive, that has to be Necroabyssious. The lead singer of the legendary Varathron has stretched his talents across a number of projects besides his own – Zaratus, Katavasia, Thyrathen and the titular Funeral Storm. While he is the notable face of the project, Funeral Storm is really the brainchild of guitarist Wampyrion, who after releasing two demos in the early 2010s, brought Necroabyssious onboard for the 2017 split with Celestial Rite. This split to me really marked a turning point with the band with its traditionalist take on the Hellenic formula, something explored further with their debut ‘Arcane Mysteries’ and now on ‘Chthonic Invocations’.
In comparison with Varathron and Katavasia, bands that have provided more modern takes on the Greek Black Metal sound we all know and love, Funeral Storm is decidedly orthodox in its approach. There is a real reverence for the old school here, as this album could have easily been released in the early 90s. This is down to a number of stylistic approaches. The most apparent one is the omission of a real drummer in favour of a drum machine, something emblematic of classics like ‘Thy Mighty Contract’ or ‘His Majesty at the Swamp’. There is also a near complete absence of more elaborate choral arrangements that were present on Varathron’s latest, with the only compliment to the guitar riffs being sporadic synthwork thrown in from time to time. Lastly, the production and mixing has been done in such a fashion that gives the music a more organic feel. Nothing feels overproduced and is kept quite minimal, giving the guitars a raw feeling to it analogous to the way it was done in Storm Studios in the 90s.
Does this formula work? The answer lies in your degree of fanaticism with the original Greek Black Metal sound. For me, Greek Black Metal always resonated through its ability to craft misty and humid atmospheres while exploring occult themes. The thin production and the drum machine are more of a backdrop and serve to enhance the sheer power of the melodicism behind the leads guitar work. Black Metal made in the Mediterranean has always been characterised by its warmer sounds and that is evident here, but said warmth should not be confused for a happy and cheerful atmosphere. Both Wampyrion and Necroabyssious and committed occultists and the musical output here is completely in line with this.
Your verdict on ‘Chthonic Invocations’ will entirely depend if you already have an established affection for the norms and customs of 90s Greek Black Metal. This record won’t make you a fan of the genre if you already find the style dull. I personally prefer the more adventurous songwriting of the other projects that Necroabyssious’s is involved in, but there is also value in adhering to conventions. This is at its best when done by competent musicians such as him and Wampyrion who understand their craft really well. Definitely a record for the die hard fanatics of this particular strand of Black Metal. (Dzor)
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Although the band already released two splits and a compilation that brought those tracks together, I only ran into Funeral Storm with their split LP with Celestial Rite from 2017 (Iron Bonehead Productions). It was just in the wake of Ithaqua, that saw their demo reissued on 12” in 2015 and came up with a new 7” EP a year later, that Funeral Storm, together with Cult Of Eibon, more or less helped spark the unholy fire for classic Green Black Metal. That mystical Hellenic sound was never really gone as Varathron never really disbanded it and a “newer” band like Caedes Cruenta kept the banner high as well, but these years in the mid 10’s felt vital for a certain rejuvenation of that much beloved niche in Black Metal.
The authenticity of the music on that Celestial Rite split LP was not only sparked by the signature vocals of Stefan Necroabyssious or the keyboards courtesy of Deviser’s Nick Christogiannis, but it was definitely the recognizable warm riffing, catchy melodies and the typical militant drumming. Funeral Storm’s main man Wampyrion definitely knew his craft and proved that even more so when the band debuted with ‘Arcane Mysteries’ (Hells Headbangers) in 2019. In the years that followed, the band gradually scaled up to a five-piece line-up, in the middle of that transition, the band released a split 7″ EP with their compatriots from Synteleia, which further enhanced their primal sound.
Yet, it took the band until the earlier months of 2024 to come up with a follow-up for ‘Arcane Mysteries’. But, as with a lot of things, sometimes things need time to mature properly. And most likely such is the case with ‘Chthonic Invocations’, an album that sounds like yet another grandiose homage to the sound of yore. The cold drums again do collide beautifully with the classic warm riffing and Necroabyssious’ vocals are on par with his best performances in his entire career. Especially songs like ‘Behold The Dark’, ‘The Covenant Of Old’ and the great closer (not counting the acoustic outro) ‘Mistress Of The Night (The Gathering Begins)’ are a true testament of Greece’s unmistakable contribution to the cultivation of Black Metal as a musical phenomenon.
As with all releases that can be filed under this particular niche, this music hinges on that unique combination of a sultry atmosphere and cold production. It is this unique sound, recognisable from thousands, that binds all the bands in this musical pedigree. Funeral Storm definitely succeeds excellently in capturing that truly one-of-a-kind ambience, and indeed, on ‘Chthonic Invocations’, the band has done it better than ever. (FelixS)
Funeral Storm
- Country: Greece
- Style: Black Metal
- Links: Facebook, Instagram, Spotify
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Hells Headbangers Records
- Country: USA
- Style: Black Metal, Death Metal, Thrash Metal, Other
- Links: Homepage, Facebook, Instagram, Bandcamp, Youtube
