Lloth - Archees Legeones (Ancient Legions)

Lloth is a Greek black metal band that formed in 1995.  They were first brought together by Tristessa (RIP) but her illness put the band on hold.  They continue to honor her through their brand of blackened death with their second full-length album, “Archees Legeones (Ancient Legions)."

I’ve actually never heard them but their name references the Spider Queen so this band was already cool in my book before I ever pressed play on the promo.  Plus, Greek metal is always fantastic.  Fortunately, this album is very impressive and well-written. Chalk up another addition to the ever growing pantheon of Greek’s metal scene.  

While definitely rooted in the classic Hellenic scene, the band is actually quite dynamic in terms of their use of clean vocals and melody.  Every song here is surprisingly catchy with a lot of little subtle details especially with the keyboards. It’s not reinventing the wheel or redefining the genre but it’s an exceptionally well written album that demands repeated listens.  Honestly, at the time of the writing of this review, it has become one of my favorite black metal albums of the year. 

I love how they use melodies and harmonies to push the song forwards, especially when it comes to some of the chorus’, which grabbed me quite strongly.  The guitar solos are expressive too but never feel out of place and always segue back into the song easily.   The production has a sort of warm tone to it which may seem odd for the genre but I like the way it presents itself—all the songs unfurl smoothly and boredom never sets in.

The opening song, “Angel Wings,” sets the tone for the album—if you like this one, you’ll probably enjoy the rest of the album.  The guitar tone is killer, just dark enough for the style but doesn’t compromise the melody.  The chorus is super catchy and somber, drenched in melancholic flourishes.

The next song (and title track) is much more immediate.  The vocals are balanced between blackened scream and death growls and it’s what I want to hear for this type of metal.  The guitars roll along with a steady groove, backed by a strong rhythm section that is capable enough to push the song into a melodic direction while still keeping the song weighty. 

The band is effective at pouring on the atmosphere too.  Check out the beginning of “Alpha and Omega,” and you’ll be as entranced as I was with the gripping, melodic opening.   The clean vocals mix in a Gothic layer to the music—and it works amazingly well.  

“Mother,” is a nice twist on the formula, being constructed with the heavy use of clean vocals, both male and female.  This song may not be the most intense on the album but I’ll be damned if it isn't yet another earworm on an album that’s full of them.  The music and vocals compliment each other very well too.  It’s compelling!

The final song, “Doomed Black Years,” is one of my favorites on the album.  The vocals, both clean and extreme, give a great performance.  The lead and rhythm guitars bounce off each other, weaving a melodic tapestry that compliments both vocal styles.  

All in all, Lloth’s “Archeese Legeones (Ancient Legions)” is a prime exploration of black metal’s ability to handle melody and engrossing songwriting without compromising the essence of the genre.  Highly recommended. 

Rating: Great