(written by Islander)
When the Greek metal band Eldingar released their debut album Maenads in 2021, our own Andy Synn extolled it in his review as embodying a “sense of seminal spirit and elemental exuberance which dates all the way back to the dawn of the Hellenic scene.”
He called it an album that “sits proudly at a nexus point between Black Metal, Melodic Death Metal, and good old Heavy Metal, and practically revels in its hybrid identity,” a “tribute to the metallic majesty of a bygone era” and one that might “also help return it to its former glory.”
We are thus fortunate that Eldingar will soon return with a second album, and its name is Lysistrata. What Andy wrote before holds true again. As before, the music is stylistically multi-faceted and emotionally powerful, viscerally affecting in many ways. Also as before, it’s rooted in compelling philosophical concepts that have a current-day relevance, even though often expressed through ancient Greek traditions and mythologies. Eldingar‘s label describes the themes this way:
Eldingar’s music is more than just metal — it’s a powerful vehicle for conveying messages of anti-war sentiment and deep reverence for nature. Drawing inspiration from ancient Greek philosophy, the band’s work reflects a profound sensitivity towards women and humanity, aiming to offer an intense, thought-provoking experience that transcends the traditional boundaries of the genre.
Their forthcoming album, Lysistrata, explores themes of the dissolution of the army and the rejection of the desire for power, juxtaposed with the emotional liberation from submission. The band invites listeners to consider whether this revolutionary idea could be the key to achieving long-awaited peace, both in the world and within the soul.
We have a prime example of those sentiments in a song from the new album we’re premiering today. Its name is “Ares“.
In the case of “Ares” the well-worn term “epic” inevitably comes to mind. It’s epic in length and epic in scale, a dramatic musical portrayal of the God of War in his mythic armored aspects, and an invocation of his power — but an invocation for a purpose that may surprise you. And the music itself, though relentlessly gripping, also turns out to be different from what you might be expecting in a song that appeals to the God of War.
Here’s what Eldingar have said about the song:
“ARES” is an ancient hymn classified among the Homeric Hymns and contains a call for peace. Perhaps the god of war, Ares, is not as warlike as he is often misunderstood to be. Instead, he oversees the warlike qualities the soul needs to develop to survive with dignity and philanthropy.
All people fight this battle for themselves and their loved ones, so in a peaceful environment, they can develop their spiritual capabilities and free themselves from the cave of ignorance, as described in Plato’s myth of Er in the Republic. Once they see the light, they can return to free others.
In the song itself the opening guitar melody, whose tones bridge a divide between clarity and harshness, creates an exotically dark setting for ardent spoken words in Greek. Then, as the drums snap, as the bass throbs, and as an even more ardent voice chants the name of the God and then snarls and screams, the guitars begin to writhe and chime, bleak and disturbing in their mood, and a precursor of the inner struggle to come.
The riffing, which is piercing and perilous in its sound, grips the senses, unmistakably dark and distressing but also dangerous. The words, which are taken from Hugh G. Evelyn White‘s 1914 translation of the Homeric Hymn “To Ares,” evoke the strength of the God and ask for strength — praying for restraint from the fury in the speaker’s heart, the courage to drive away “the deceitful impulses” of his soul, and “the boldness to abide within the harmless laws of peace,” avoiding strife, hatred, “and the violent fiends of death.”
As the prayer proceeds in roaring growls, fierce howls, and scalding shrieks, the riffing blares and feverishly throbs, boils and blazes, driving toward zeniths of intensity, but the lead guitar also beautifully soars and seems to cry out, as if pleading.
The music also descends, the rhythm section falling silent, and the guitars’ melody becoming grievously bereft. It stays that way even as the bass moodily murmurs and the drums menacingly stalk.
The struggle comes back into the music, along with terrorizing screams. Magnetic in their charisma, the guitars sound striving and fierce, yet the mood never seems to turn too far away from sounds of despair and sorrow.
Near the end, as further spoken words in Greek lead the song toward its conclusion, the band yield the stage to an elegant and mesmerizing acoustic instrumental performance. When the song does end, it’s like trying to wake up from a spell.
RECORDING LINEUP:
Stavros Lontos (guitars)
Andreas Simitzis (vocals)
Giannis Dardas (bass)
Defkalion Dimos (drums)
Cretan lyra by Giorgos Scordalos.
Music: Stavros Lontos
Lysistrata was produced by Steve Lado and Stavros Lontos, and Steve Lado also mixed and mastered it. The album features artwork by Maximos Manolis, graphic design by Anneta Gravvani, and artwork photography by Antonis Tsergoulas.
Lysistrata is set to be released this November 1st by Vinylstores Records.
PRE-ORDER:
https://www.vinylstore.gr/products-c-0.html?keywords=Lysistrata
ELDINGAR:
https://www.facebook.com/Eldingar