Year: 2020
Total Time: 41:23
Label: Ván Records

Five years after the release of one of last decade’s best albums (of course I am referring to “Gods of War – At War”), MACABRE OMEN returns this year with its new release “Anamneses”. We may all have been expecting a new album, but Alexander’s artistic vision is different from our desire. In 25 years the band had released only two full length albums and just captivates our desire with a brand-new song. So, in this mew-mini album, besides the new track, some MACABRE OMEN’s songs (released back in the 90’s) are also included.

The new song “Anamneses From The Past (Sirens Calling)”, is a fourteen-minute masterpiece in the footsteps of “Gods of War – At War” constituting the bridge between the past and the present of MACABRE OMEN. Its magical sound is enriched with some Folk elements and instruments, while some female vocals are also found (for the first time), coming from Linday Fay-Hella from WARDRUNA. Her voice represents the Sirens who tried to deceive Odysseus and his crew in the Greek Mythology, but now we will not cover our ears with wax, and we will be left speechless in her seductive chanting. Furthermore, the voice of Alexander’s father returns with the narration of a poem. An adventurous composition that sounds like a mix of BATHORY’s “Hammerheart” and “Twilight Of The Gods”, enriched with some ancient Greek aura.

The rest of this mini album’s songs is consisted of compositions released between 1996 and 2001. “Olympus, Mountain Of The Ancient Gods” and “Cursed Aria” are coming from the 1996’s “Olympus” demo, “The Waltz Of The Nereids, Of The Dryads, Of The Nymphs” from the split with GODBLOOD. “The Past Is The Future, Of The Present” from the split with WALHALLA while “Voor Donker Zullen We Heersen” and “We Won with War” from the split with JUDAS ISCARIOT / KRIEG / ETERNAL MAJESTY and AD INFERNOS respectively. Listening to these compositions, a historical journey is achieved. A journey in which someone can realize the musical path that the band has followed between the years and the vision that it has. Influences from the Norwegian and Greek Black Metal scene are harmoniously combined, emitting passion and spirit. Even if the quality is inferior to songs coming from the albums “Gods Of War – At War” and “The Ancient Returns”, that does not mean that they are not remarkable.

MACABRE OMEN offers us a release that unites the past with the present and the new composition (which was born from the heart of “Gods of War – At War”), leaves us with a faint sense about the musical path that the band may follow on the next album, whenever and wherever it will be released. Until the next record from Alexandros with MACABRE OMEN, we will be satisfied with the magic sound of “Anamneses”. I also suggest to everyone to listen to Alexandros’ other project entitled THE ONE, which after “I, Master” album of 2008, has started the recordings for a new album. Also, for Black / Thrash Metal fans, check out NECROMANIAC from Great Britain in which Alexander plays the bass.

Rating: N/A
Editor: Nikos Manousis
Related Link MACABRE OMEN – Facebook Page