It can’t really be said that Greece has a world-renowned heavy metal scene, but throughout the years there has been a long line of bands spreading the gospel throughout their land and Sacral Rage is one of those.
Despite being around since 2011, Beyond Celestial Echoes is the band’s first full-length album, following on from EPs Deadly Bits of Iron Fragments (2013) and Illusions in Infinite Void (2015). It’s nice to see that their cryptic titles pattern is maintained.
Dealing in what I can only describe as futuristic thrash, the band consists of Vaggelis F. on drums, Marios P. on guitar, Spyros S. on bass and Dimitris K. on vocals.
Out now on heavy metal flag-bearers Cruz Del Sur Music, Beyond Celestial Echoes is a collection of 5 thrash tracks, 2 instrumentals and one megamongous behemoth of a track to finish.
Of the 2 short instrumentals, “Progenitor” opens the album. At 1 min 32, this type of opener are increasingly common but this track is different as it really does give an atmosphere and feel to what is to come. Quite futuristic, the track gets the interest going.
“Eternal Solstice” is where we first encounter Dimitris K. and it’s quite a dramatic entrance. Belting his lungs out before the classic choppy riffs of thrash take over, Dimitris K. then shows us his full repertoire before the track is out. High pitched screaming, threatening lower end gruffness and everything in between, he can’t be considered predictable. Check it out on the video below.
Musically, Sacral Rage are switched on, delivering exactly what they want with consistency, precision, and power. There are plenty of musical breaks devoid of vocals which are interesting and, most importantly, rocking as hell. Guitarist Marios P. pulls out all the stops on numerous occasions and the whole affair is held together well by Vaggelis F. and Spyros S.
Before we get to the big finish there is “Onwards to Nucleus”, an intricate acoustic track which is very pleasing on the ear.
So, now to the aforementioned big finish. 14 min 55 of “The Glass” showcases all the band has to offer. It is clearly a narrative piece, telling a tale of sorts but I’ve yet to figure that one out.
Having said that, all the component parts are top notch. The track flows along superbly, with both delicate and extreme vocals punctuating quality musicianship and the atmosphere is created through the “less is more” mantra. If there’s such a thing as prog thrash then this is surely it, a really enjoyable end to the album.
If you want your thrash to have a bit more subtlety and variety then Beyond Celestial Echoes is well worth checking out.
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mNasQU34-Y[/embedyt]
