Year: 2021
Total Time: 10:46
Label: Hells Headbangers Records

After about two years of silence (in 2019 both bands released their last albums) Athenian Black Metallers FUNERAL STORM and SYNTELEIA, with common denominator their love for the Greek Black Metal sound and the same label (Hells Headbangers Records), join forces in a new split entitled “The Ancient Calling”. Each band participates with a new song, while the beautiful cover is created by Panos Sounas, responsible for the covers on the legendary albums “Crossing the Fiery Path” and “Scarlet Evil Witching Black” by NECROMANTIA.

FUNERAL STORM participates with the song “Mistress of the Night”, which begins with ecclesiastical orthodox chants to convey us sonically around middle 90’s when ROTTING CHRIST and VARATHRON released their masterpieces. Also, the drum machine used in the recordings is exactly the same with the one used during the ’90s at the legendary Storm Studios, being heard among others in albums like “Thy Mighty Contract”, “Non Serviam”, “Walpurgisnacht”, “The Wizard of Nerath”. The composition may not be musically original, but it brings out a magical feeling. The b side belongs to SYNTELEIA with “Stellar Return”, who may also move in the paths of the Greek Old School Black Metal sound, but the use of keyboards and the Heavy Metal melody add a more epic and mysterious feel to the song.

“The Ancient Calling” is an alliance of two remarkable bands from the Greek scene and their two compositions confirm that in an emphatic way. The split is released in 7’vinyl and pressed on transparent half purple/half blood red color, which in combination with its musical value make it a necessary purchase for all lovers of the early Greek Black Metal style.

Rating: N/A
Editor: Nikos Manousis
Related Links: FUNERAL STORM – Facebook Page
SYNTELEIA – Facebook Page