No Hand Path - Mysticism of Coming of Age

No Hand Path is a Greek black metal band who formed in 2006. Their latest release, “Mysticism of Coming of Age,” is their second full-length album; they have also released a demo.  

I’m a simple man.  I get sent a promo with the words “Greek black metal,” in it and I immediately download.  The Greek scene is my favorite of the blackened world and No Hand Path are well on their way to staking their own claim amongst the vast catacombs of the scene.

They don’t really sound like many of the bands from the Greek scene; the Mediterranean atmosphere is dialed back in favor of a more raw sound.  It’s cold, violent, and usually fast as fuck.  But despite that, it still has a dismal and tragic atmosphere that permeates the songs.  The band lives in these two worlds and is fantastic at displaying them, without letting one element take over the other. 

Upon first listen, it’s a blistering album that compromises on very little while destroying a lot.  It’s that kind of black metal album that embraces the contempt and bullshit of the world by casting right back in misanthropic glory.

But multiple listens reveal an uncanny depth that comes to the service, melding with the arcane fury.  It’s a dense, dark miasma that reaches its tendrils through the very fabric of the songs.  The result is a chilling album with an unique atmosphere. 

“Corruptor,” opens the album, perfectly exemplifying just how against the grain the album can be.  This song barrels every forward, violent vocals cutting into everything as the lyrics are spat out in a maddening way.  The guitar tone is icy and has a classic black metal to it.  But the later half of the song throws in a twist…the riffs dial back just a bit and together with the bass create a tornadic sound like winds whipping up together to rip up the world. 

“Baptism,” is such a great song.  I really like the ominous tones in the first few seconds before the band bursts forth in a slow tempo style, each riff surprisingly mythical while the bass adds a subtle, melodic layer underneath.  It sounds encompassing and it felt like I was in another world.  Soon, however, the music returns to more aggressive waters which makes me appreciate the elements all the more—every note in the song has its place and uses its moments well.   The middle part of the song is heavier on the atmosphere, very carefully and casually settling in between the furious black metal. Around the 6:20 mark, the song becomes very focused with a small section of groove that leads into a hurricane blast of epic proportions.

The final song, “Cosmogony,” is one of my favorites on the album and a beastly way to end the album.  It’s a display of true primal chaos, moving perpetually forward.  It has groove, tight drumming, void-like bass and harrowing blackened screams.  What more could I want?  How the lead guitar which laces the song with a desperate melancholy that still manages to sit right at home with the searing elements?  Yes. 

No Hand Path’s “Mysticism of Coming of Age,” is another solid Greek black metal album that is much more direct and stark than a lot of bands from the scene.  Those who prefer the Norwegian or Canada scenes would do well to check this one out too. 

Rating:  Solid