EP REVIEW: Keres – Euphrosyne
There aren’t many bands who’d release half an hour of music and call it an EP, but perhaps that’s indicative of EUPHROSYNE’s ambition as that’s exactly what they’ve done here. Following on from a couple of singles released last year, Keres finds the Greeks set on making a more fulsome statement of intent with their line-up now expanded to that of a fully-functioning four-piece.
Before this review goes any further it is probably worth spending a few moments on genre; EUPHROSYNE seem to be billing themselves as a post-black metal band, but you could also easily file them under progressive metal without raising too many eyebrows. There are blast beats and tremolos, sure, but there’s also something of the thunder of a band like GOJIRA, the melodic theatrics of OPETH, and the presence of a saxophone on tracks like Pale Days and Within The Ages can’t help but recall shades of RIVERS OF NIHIL, or even PINK FLOYD when used more gently as in opener Black Opal. Either way, these should be familiar enough building blocks, and yet held together as they are they result in quite a well-rounded identity for a band at such an early juncture in their career.
Elevating EUPHROSYNE‘s output significantly is vocalist Efi Eva, who makes for surely the record’s most obvious stand-out. Her vocals are powerful and versatile, ranging from massive, almost operatic cleans that lend the music a lot of its grandeur, to harsher screams that convey more of a sense of pain and fury. Third track When My Fears Conquered All allows her to shine on both fronts and more, with even some menacing whispers making their way in amongst Eva‘s scorching rasps and stirring melodies.
The highlights though are probably Sister Of Violence and the aforementioned Within The Ages. The former houses one of the record’s most impossibly towering riffs, as well as plenty of blasting fury embellished by sweeping synths and brass, while the latter is sandwiched sensibly between a couple of quieter pieces in Sunbringer and Keres to provide something of the EP’s climax. It’s six and a half minutes long, and while its intro is uncannily reminiscent of METALLICA’s One, that is soon forgotten as the track takes listeners on a dynamic journey through maelstrom blast beats, proggy acoustics and a stunning sax solo that sets up a gigantic conclusion that feels a lot like a metal band’s take on The Great Gig In The Sky.
Ultimately then, EUPHROSYNE have made quite the resounding entrance here. If this is the sound of a band just getting started then they could have something really special for us by the time they get a full-length together. Based on current form it will probably be an hour and a half long, but if it’s anything like this then you should give that time willingly and with much anticipation.
Rating: 7/10
Keres is set for release on November 25th via self-release.
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