On Saturday, March 14th, we had the privilege of coming vistting the impressive studios of Manos Backline Services for a prelistening session of an album that will definitely leave its mark on this year’s (at least) discography. We are talking about the sixth studio album of Epic Metallers BATTLEROAR titled «Petrichor», which will be officially released on April 24th by No Remorse Records.
It took BATTLERAR 8 years from the excellent “Codex Epicus” and a large and successful renewal of the line up to get to the point where we are almost ready to hold in our hands the best album of the band in these 26 years. «Petrichor» (for those who are wondering «πετριχώρ» is the smell that rises from the ground when the rain drops fall) is a hearty album with a duration of almost an hour and many epic moments. The leader of the band, Kostas Tzortzis (guitars) found some amazing musicians like Michalis Karasoulis (vocals), Zack Kotsikis (guitars), Loukas Libertos (bass), Giorgos Finanis (drums) and Alex Papadiamantis (violin).
I won’t try to analyze the album right now, but two things made an impression on me. The first is the more than obvious improvement in vocals compared to Gerrit Mutz, since Michalis Karasoulis managed to support 100% the role of the singer-narrator and deliver the cinematic character of the songs despite the fact that since now, he was more accustomed to a more symphonic, heavy metal enviroment. The second one is the excellent integration of the violin almost throughout the entire duration of the album. The violin is one of my favorite instruments in Metal music, but it usually has a decorative or secondary role. In «Petrichor», fortunately, Alex Papadiamantis assumes a leading role and gives an even more operatic dimension to the already epic sound.
The production of the album is to the point thanks to some exceptional professionals such as Thimios Krikos (INNERWISH), Stathis Pavlantis (REFLECTION) and Stamos Vasilakis, while Arthur Rizk did the mixing. Last but not least, Mars Triumph of TRIUMPHER took over the artwork of the album.
«Petrichor»
- The Last Mythkeeper
- The Missing Note
- Atē, Hybris, Nemesis
- Legacy of Suffering (Flagellants)
- The Earth Remembers, the Rain Forgives
- What is Best in Life?
- Chaosbane
- Wield The Myth
- Storm Inside
Other than that, this type of gatherings gives us the opportunity to socialize, drink our beer, meet old and new friends in a relaxed environment and confirm that music is not just a hobby but a way of life.
Report: Kostas Boudoukos
