A lot of what we cover here, and plenty of what I ramble about, is situated in the here and now and how it impacts our psyches. But there is far more than that in the metal universe, and it’s probably a good time to get a dose of something else so we can calm down for a second and get our minds into a different space.
Greek explorers Eleventh Ray branch far beyond the surface level on their great debut full-length “Reviving Tehom,” itself referring to an ancient concept of the abyss. The music the band—vocalist D. AanoNin, guitarist/vocalist D. Gharrassielh, bassist/guitarist Peyote, drummer/percussionist Nuctemeron—spreads over this nine-track collection has a furious heart and soul. It sounds like it time travelled through metal’s annals to grab something important from every era and apply it to their mind-set of exploring magical and occult grounds. The red dragon on the cover is crucial as well as it symbolizes esoteric knowledge and one’s journey through taking on those experiences and coming out transformed. Of course, if you just want a great sounding, true metal record, you’re also in the right spot.
“Nightside of Damascus” ravages from the gates, the riff reminding me a bit of Candlemass’ “Dark Reflections,” which means we’re instantly off to a good start. The playing is both sooty and blazing, giving a vintage heavy metal feel, though the furious shrieks lets you know you’re in the present. “There’s no turning back!” AanoNin howls, the playing splattering and blazing to a gruesome end. “Staring Eyes” opens with a full surge, the guitars giving off a great tone, which they do throughout. Raspy wails meet with speedy leads, blistering as the track turns steamier. The bass slithers as the howls sicken, guitars churning to a furious end. “Ha Illan Ha Hizon TrianAdohi” mesmerizes from the start, darkness folding before the tempo kicks in, menacing with heaviness and punishment. Vocals echo as speaking haunts, sounding like a fever dream, with the final moments rumbling to a thunderous finish. “Path of the Bellator” is a New Agey instrumental piece with woodwinds, strange pockets, and a soothing feel that pulls toward to “IGUL.” There, slow, yet heavy playing lands blows, and then crazed howls sink in their teeth, the guitars turning thrashier and more forceful. Shouts buckle as the mood grows defiant, guitars are swept into a fog, and icy chants make ancient energy crawl down your spine.
“Κόκκινη Αποκάλυψη” is mostly instrumental with the exception of some warbled speaking, classic acoustics give off Middle Eastern flourishes, and then things turn. The playing gets faster and harder, the intensity settling into dust and final ghostly words. “ZODAMRAN NOX” explodes with hammering yells, heated guitars rampaging, and everything feeling like it’s trying to bruise your bones. Wild shouts spiral as the pace hulks up, mashing with deadly intent, the cries washing in echo, the bass thickening and chugging away. “Pan Noctifer” has guitars surging and the vocals grasping at throats, mystical melodies sweeping in and capturing your imagination. Strange vibes then take over, weird rants racing through the atmosphere, gathering into the clouds and slipping into shadows. The closing title track jars immediately, thundering with power, the title howled forcefully over the chorus. Guitars swelter as an entrancing mist takes over, raspy cries reopen wounds, and a nasty front forms and drives everything into the ground.
Eleventh Ray’s debut “Reviving Tehom” is an impressive one, a record that weaves classic and current metallic influences into an album that feels kind of timeless. The band’s foray into magical and esoteric terrain is woven into the music perfectly, giving you more of a lesson in ancient forces that still influence people rather than the run-of-the-mill devils and coffins. This is a spellbinding album, one that can enrich your mind from a lyrical standpoint and turn your blood even warmer when the music sinks in its claws.
For more on the band, go here: https://eleventhray.bandcamp.com/
To buy the album, go here: https://www.darkdescentrecords.com/shop/
For more on the label, go here: https://darkdescentrecords.bandcamp.com/
Meat Mead Metal 