Two years after their formation and having already offered a first glimpse of their potential through their debut single, Larissa-based LAUGHING AFTER BOTOX present their first EP, “Perception of Insanity”, a release that serves as a compelling introduction to their musical world.

The EP consists of four songs and one instrumental interlude, which effectively showcase both the talents of the musicians involved and some of the influences that shape their sound, primarily drawing from Heavy Metal, Doom Metal and, to a lesser extent, Progressive Metal. Their music falls under the broader umbrella of Alternative Metal. While the band themselves describe it as “eccentric,” I would be more inclined to characterize it as “cinematic.”

A key factor in creating this atmosphere is vocalist Chrysa Lappa. Her singing style occasionally brought to mind Dimitra Kalavrezou of UNVERKALT, as she effortlessly shifts between dynamic and lyrical approaches. Her performance carries a sweet yet, at times, deliberately theatrical quality that perfectly complements the cinematic nature of the material.

The EP opens with what is arguably its heaviest and most aggressive track, “Laughing After Botox”. The song is introduced by the Heavy Metal-inspired guitar work of Giorgos Theodoropoulos and Tasos Daglis before Chrysa enters with force, delivering a performance that reaches its peak during the infectious chorus.

The nearly two-minute atmospheric instrumental “…And The Cycle Spins On” follows, functioning as a bridge and introduction to “The Grin In My Mirror.” Here, the driving force comes from the sharp, groovy drumming of Vasilis Theodoropoulos. Guitar solos are naturally present as well, including a particularly notable one midway through the track, reinforcing the guitar-driven character of the EP.

The mid-tempo pace of “The Grin In My Mirror” gives way to the slower, doom-laden “Fragments of Lost Awareness”. However, this only describes its opening moments, as the song later evolves through constant tempo changes, ultimately becoming the band’s darkest and most cinematic composition. It is also here that bassist Dimitris Emmanouilidis’ contribution becomes especially apparent, providing a dense foundation upon which the rest of the instrumentation unfolds.

The EP closes with “The River Dragon Has Come”, a cover of the classic song by NEVERMORE from the album “Dead Heart in a Dead World”, which begins with a melodic guitar introduction before Vasilis takes charge behind the drum kit and drives the song forward. The climax arrives with what is arguably the hardest guitar solo executed perfectly by Giorgos, whose technical ability and expressive playing once again stand out throughout the track.

With “Perception of Insanity”, LAUGHING AFTER BOTOX introduce themselves to listeners through a concise yet highly representative sample of the music they aim to create. A veteran musician once told me that the new generation of musicians is often remarkably more accomplished at a young age than previous generations were at that age, and this band does a convincing job of proving that point.

 ★ 8/10
✍🏻 Kostas Boudoukos