Year: 2023
Total Time: 44.06
Label: Vinyl Store

It’s been 7 years since Greek Symphonic Metallers ENEMY OF REALITY released their last studio album, so now is the perfect time to return with their new opus “Where Truth May Lie”. After “Rejected Gods” (2014) and “Arahkne” (2016), the band goes one step further and proves that it is among the top of its genre.

“Where Truth May Lie” is another thematic album based on the rich Greek mythology. In fact, it’s one of the most coherent – in terms of the flow of the story it tells – albums I’ve heard, since even the titles alone give us a very good idea of the story behind it. Through the 11 songs we follow the hero, a priest in Ancient Greece, who experiences tragic events that destroy his life when he loses his wife and child into the flames of their worship. In his desperation he will seek redemption in the woods where mythical creatures such as Satyrs, Nymphs and Centaurs will welcome him and try to convince him that the only truth is hidden in music, dancing, wine and erotic pleasures. From the beginning, with the (almost) instrumental intro “Final Prayer” (the last prayer before hell breaks loose and the hero loses his faith in the gods he worshipped and served) to the last and one of the heaviest songs of the album, “Baptised In Fire” – which starts with the heartbreaking “… All my life has been in vain”- the listener travels to ancient Greece following the ethereal and flawless voice of Iliana Tsakiraki and the captivating and so distinctive sound of traditional instruments such as the Cretan lyre and the flute. The flute is a necessary addition since it is the favorite musical instrument of the “Goat-Legged Deceiver”, Satyr. That is the title of one of my favorite songs of the album with an amazing SOADish introduction and some awesome guitar solos.

Even better is the first single “Serenade Of Death”, which narrates the tragic story of Satyr Marsyas, who dared to confront Apollo and compete against him. The cost was an excruciating death. It is the most notable song of the album, with an amazing instrumentation, Iliana’s voice in a more traditional tone and the growl vocals emphasizing the harsh fate of Marsyas. Moreover, I couldn’t help but wonder, for example, how the outstanding “At The Edge Of Madness” would sound, played live with the accompaniment of a choir or a symphony orchestra… I’m just saying! We would literally see before our eyes the Priest, on the verge of madness and drowning in grief, searching for truth in the ashes of his own family.

This album manages better than the previous ones, to integrate Tsakiraki’s endless voice into the Symphonic Metal paths that the band is following. The feeling that I got by listening to the album countless times, is that the band found 100% its sound and the difficult balance that is required. The traditional instruments take us back in time, the growl vocals are discreet and strategically placed so as to satisfy even the most hardcore heavy metalheads, who will definitely be pleased by the – as always – exquisite guitars and drums. Moreover, the final result is enhanced by the excellent artwork by Thoth Graphics, dark and imposing, visualized in the official video for the song “Serenade Of Death”, edited by Bob Katsionis.

An album that undoubtedly takes ENEMY OF REALITY to the next level!

Tracklist

1. Final Prayer
2.  Downfall
3. At the Edge of Madness
4. The Vineyard Song
5. Serenade of Death
6. Ever-lusting
7. Tears of Echo
8. Long-forgotten
9. Deliverance
10. Goat-legged Deceiver
11. Baptised in Fire

Rating: 8/10
Editor: Kostas Boudoukos
Related Link: ENEMY OF REALITY – Official Page