Yoth Iria: Gone with the Devil album review

The third album by Greek black metallers Yoth Iria, following As the Flame Withers (2021) and Blazing Inferno (2024), leaves no doubt that the band of Jim Mutilator has firmly established itself at the highest level of the extreme metal scene.

This extreme sound — whatever label one might attach to it — ultimately does not matter, because in such high-quality albums like Gone With The Devil, which are overflowing with different sonic approaches, categorization becomes pointless.

I was almost certain that Jim Mutilator’s compositional passion and his love for atmosphere, combined with sheer power, would result in another outstanding work — something that was not only expected, but also a pressing and genuine demand from the audience.

It was back in 1993 when the daemonic figure Yoth Iria first appeared on the legendary debut album Thy Mighty Contract by Rotting Christ. Today, in 2026, this daemonic entity appears perhaps in its finest form yet: renewed, full of experience, melodic and atmospheric, enriched with fitting folk elements and, above all, ready to penetrate the minds and hearts of those who still believe that music can shape characters and cultures.

The standout track of the album is without a second thought The Blind Eye of Antichrist, which since its release as a single has created unprecedented anticipation for the arrival of the full album. The choir in the track includes a verse from Pobedna pesma (“Victory Song”), a Serbian Orthodox spiritual hymn written by the Serbian Orthodox prelate Nikolaj Velimirović.

The opening track Dare To Rebel is excellent, beginning with a short introduction and moving at a mid-tempo pace but with a very strong rhythm. In this track we can clearly see Yoth Iria’s intention to incorporate folk elements, particularly through the use of the clarinet, which also appears in other songs.

The demon weaves its spells in Woven Spells of a Demon, a track that fills the atmosphere with familiar moments before leading us to the previously mentioned highlight The Blind Eye of Antichrist.

Next comes the fastest track, I, Totem, with its addictive rhythm and explosive ending, which leads us to 3am, a song that takes us down slightly different paths, mainly due to the dominant clean vocals.

One of the most imposing songs on Gone With The Devil is Give ‘Em My Beautiful Hell, perhaps the most representative track of the album.

Once in a Blue Moon, with its specific motif from beginning to end, also contributes strongly, mainly through its passionate lyrics. The following track Blessed Be He Who Enters moves along the same lines.

The End of the Known Civilization creates chaos with its aggressive composition, while the closing track Harut, Government, Fallen provides the perfect ending to a superb set of ten compositions.

As for the production, it is difficult to imagine how these songs could sound any better, with special emphasis placed on the mix. The mixing and mastering were handled by Lawrence Macrory, while the engineering and recording were done by Naberius at Symbolic P Studio. Production and arrangements were completed by Nikolas Perlepe.

The artwork is classic Yoth Iria — something that has become expected in the best possible sense, and we like it.

The vocals of Rustam Shakirzianov (HE) are excellent, perfectly tailored to the style of the compositions.

The landmark album for Yoth Iria is here and it is called Gone With The Devil. This third album leaves no room for doubt and, for me personally, already enters my favorites for the beginning of the year — and we will see what follows.

The black metal of Yoth Iria cannot shed that “ancient dust” that still surrounds this land today, carrying it forward and spreading it to every corner of the world.

Spyros Tribos

9/10

Tracklist:

1.Dare to Rebel

2.Woven Spells of a Demon

3.The Blind Eye of Antichrist

4.I, Totem

5.3am

6.Give ‘Em My Beautiful Hell

7.Once in a Blue Moon

8.Blessed Be He Who Enters

9.The End of the Known Civilization