Resonance - Firtan Helios

Firtan Helios  9.7/10

The fifth album from Germanys Firtan is a masterwork of atmospheric black/ death metal that incorporates the classical to create a truly uncompromising, steadfast piece of art. Much Like its namesake Helios it is a conquest over darkness, the shining sun over brutal enslavement to create the strongest personification of self.

After the melancholic intro of "Himsa" and its beautiful strings every Firtan album is blessed with an incredible opening riff and’ Kalikas Tongue," is no exception. It is a malevolent creation born in darkness with a maelstrom of movement from a deranged rhythm section and Phillip Thienger’s voice to create a truly intense speed driven opening that marks the bands ongoing evolution without loosing any of their power and intensity they are renowned for. Helios is an exceptionally heavy album punctuated by beautiful melodies and classical flourishes courtesy of Klara Bachmair’s violin and voice, so intrinsic to the music that the complexity of the arrangements never interferes with the message or intent of the music. "Ascension" and "Wide Open Eye" mere displays of musical prowess from raw fury to a war like rhythm that conquers all before. The title track Helios is a masterwork with the stings holding the aggression at bay a superb association of crushing death metal with the atmosphere and intensity of its blackened partner. The Hierophant Way is eleven minutes unlike no other that completes an album that is blessed with a sense of urgency and purpose fighting against the unrepentance of time to complete the personal transformation. The musicianship is exemplary blessed with moments that are both harrowing and optimistic in equal measure. An album so complete Bathory’s Man of Iron is merely a bonus.

Helios is blessed with an elegant chaos that is immediate, sophisticated and challenging. Vital and visceral from its opening, it is a towering achievement of an album from ritualistic chants to acoustic serenity, a journey of conquest over struggle that is simply unmissable.  Superb

https://firtan.bandcamp.com/

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