mourner
The most violent sind aggressive release of Kawir that I've listened to yet. They clearly reduced the folk influences but with the remaining melodies they still keep the epicness, especially towards the end of the album. The higher level of fierceness suits them very well. So does the overall darker tone. The guitars are as magical as ever with Kawir, riff after riff after riff...
Favorite track: Agamemnon.
IRON BONEHEAD PRODUCTIONS is proud to present KAWIR's highly anticipated seventh album, Exilasmos, on CD, vinyl LP, and cassette tape formats.
Since 1993, KAWIR have been one of the unsung pillars of the classic Greek black metal sound. While the names Rotting Christ, Varathron, and Necromantia are incredibly important to that style's foundation, it was KAWIR who kept the faith during the '90s and into the new millennium. In 1994, the then-young band released two pivotal 7"s, Eumenides and a split with Japan's Sigh - on the pivotal Cacophonous Records, no less - and then followed those up in 1996 with the To Cavirs MLP, which is the first truly pagan-oriented record to hail from the Greek black metal scene. With that mini-album, KAWIR set about on a Hellenistic crusade to celebrate their native gods and mythology in their lyrics and sartorial presentation. From the late '90s onward, the band continued to remain prolific, perpetually committed to fine-tuning their idiosyncratic craft, culminating in underground classics Arai (2005) and Ophiolatreia (2008). Although 2012's Ισόθεος featured a cross-continental lineup, the album further solidified KAWIR's status as unique icons in the black metal underground.
Then, just last year, IRON BONEHEAD released the massively acclaimed Father Sun Mother Moon, which saw KAWIR return to an all-Greek lineup and recast their classic sound in a whole new light, and now they continue that forward momentum with the fiery Exilasmos. If the 64-minute Father Sun Mother Moon was the sound of KAWIR indulging their most epic expanses - always with power and poignancy, it must be said - then the 42-minute Exilasmos is its punchier and more restless counterpart. Across its six characteristically cascading tracks, KAWIR take a decidedly darker and more aggressive turn, racing into the fray in a manner most mid '90s (or To Cavirs, as it were) but never losing the inherently heroic aspect so crucial - and so engaging, after all these years - to their Hellenic sound. Supplementing that dark heroism is the addition of a fulltime keyboardist in Aristomache, who lends mystical light and shade to the band's surge 'n' swell. Further coloring the windswept wildness of Exilasmos are an endless supply of dramatic solos from guitarists Melanaegis and founder Therthonax.
But, as ever with KAWIR, the sonic portrait they paint is imbued with a deep lyricism hailing the Greek pantheon. In the case of Exilasmos, the record is conceptually about the tragic dynasties of the house of Lavdakides (Oedipus Tyrannus) and the house of Atreus. Both dynasties nearly exterminated themselves, and all these violent and inhuman acts brought forth the wrath of Zeus and the curses were consequently laid upon the whole bloodline. "Exilasmos" in Ancient Hellenic Language means calming down the gods' wrath, so it perfectly describes the tragic events featured in the namesake album.
Recorded at Esoteron Studio in Athens and mixed and mastered by Esoteric's Greg Chandler at Priory Studio, Exilasmos is yet another gleaming jewel in the rich KAWIR canon. Long may they ascend Mount Olympus!
supported by 56 fans who also own “Kawir - Exilasmos”
I'd say Havukruunu is the rightful holder of the Crown and the mantle of Quorthon. Epic choirs, vikingesque themes and tales from the other times, of the Finnish paganism back in the days before our ancestors were brought to the cross and forced to kneel while feeling the bloody sword of saviour on their throats made to kiss the hand of murderers who burnt thousands, tore down our holy places and took our holy days. Eyes teary I listen to these songs, never forgiving the crimes of the cross! Peikonmieli
supported by 48 fans who also own “Kawir - Exilasmos”
This whole album is flawless. This is music for walking in the rain and letting your thoughts run. It's not just a collection of songs, but an actual album. yakbone
supported by 47 fans who also own “Kawir - Exilasmos”
Up until now this is my favorite Varathron release with it's perfect level of aggression and great variation. Let's see, if The Crimson Temple will be able to change that. mourner