Blazing Inferno

Yoth Iria - “Blazing Inferno” 2024

Album Review
Yoth Iria
“Blazing Inferno”

Origin: Athens, Attica, Greece

Genre: Hellenic Black Metal

Label: Edged Circle Productions

Greece’s Yoth Iria is the brainchild of one Jim Mutilator, most known for his time in the legendary Rotting Christ and Varathron. As of late, this band has risen to a plateau o’er the scene where only the above-mentioned legends dare. That damn good and quite simply the very best of the Greek crop. Diabolical tales of unholy war, odes to Paganism and dedications to Satan as relayed through the timeless art of rich, melodic Greek black metal. The Greeks are known for their dramatic and oft theatrical ways of recording BM, as opposed to the rougher-around-the-edges Scandinavian product, and if romantic, legend-spawning black metal is your cup of tea, then Yoth Iria is for you.

Yoth Iria began in 2019, and have thus far released two EPs and one, soon to be two full-length studio LPs - widely-praised and indicative of genius: articulate, melodious and refined black metal to be taken in solitary under goddess moon and by dancing flames of ritual. Connecting the Ley Lines between what is ritualistic, what is evil and what is genuinely artistic. And the talent behind the music? Unparalleled. The creative vision preceding their works? Fresh and inspired yet traditional all the same. A gem buried in hallowed soil beneath the mainstream have Yoth Iria been. On November 8, Yoth Iria will release their highly-anticipated second LP, “Blazing Inferno”, via Edged Circle Productions.

The time has come… The time for vailing and for bowing down to the majesty of Greek BM in its ultimate form. In Blazing Inferno”, Yoth Iria have created a record to be coveted. Up-and-coming Greek black metal bands should study this record and the legends should as well, because the class, the character and the esteem exuded here are the stuff of legend. The starkly visual titular track evokes images of war torn Daemons clinched in battle as Gabriel crumbles Sodom and Gomorrah beneath his might. An eternal grudge match set to soul-stirring melodic passages backed by war-drum type rhythmic cadences and haunting atmospheric chants; an epic as the catalyst to the remainder of what is, in my opinion, one of the greatest black metal albums of 2024 alongside Nachtmystium’s “Blight Privilege”, Wuldorgast’s “Cold Light” and Deus Mortem’s “Thanatos”. Rotting Christ-heralding theatrics and rhythm-driven melodies to be taken in during the following track, “But Fear Not”, and as the atmosphere teems with the folkish sound of woodwinds and angelic backing vocalizations, underneath it all an unholy incursion of blast-beats and rolling guitar riffs ensues. A blessed alternation between evenly spaced martial rhythms and up-tempo’d beats to drive forward this profound as poetry Greek black metal experience.

“Purgatory Revolution” marks the halfway point of our journey. Screaming leads and galloping double-bass currents, fires of unholy war unleashed to an anthem of spiritual revolution! Breaking holy bonds of oppression and tearing through the Heavens as the war rages on… “Blazing Inferno” closes with “We Call Upon the Elements” - an homage to Paganism accompanied by a stunning visualizer that portrays a ritualist enthralled by nature and enraptured in the presence of The Great Olde Ones. Spells cast in the name of preservation and in honor of Mother Earth.

Yoth Iria’s presence to once again rekindle ancient fires of remembrance. Forget thee not the ways of olde nor the natural order of our aching world. Black metal for odes and for homages, for harkening and for remembering. Diabolical in nature and as poetic as Shakespeare. Truly one of the finest works to emerge out of the Greek scene in years. Spiritual nourishment that no religion can provide. Experience freedom! The liberation of thought and of spirit. The eternal struggle between light and dark, between good and evil as conveyed through music of ancient proportions. This is Hellenic black metal. This is Yoth Iria… Hail!

Captivation: 10/10
Cover Art: 10/10
Concept: 10/10
Production: 10/10
Revisitability: 10/10

Final Score: 10/10

Experience “We Call Upon the Elements” from “Blazing Inferno” by Yoth Iria” right here as presented by Black Metal Promotion:

https://youtu.be/9Zz4xCdARww?si=60H_nC6cuivUKYlO

~Jeger