Here we have the second EP from New Orleans-based death thrash trio Herakleion who were formed in 2020 when drummer Speed Wilson met guitarist/vocalist Apollo Xydias, with bassist, Christian Woerner, rounding out the lineup in April of the following year. The band decided they did not want any digital or computer assistance with this release so enlisted producer Pete deBoer (Blood Incantation, Devil Master, Spectral Voice) to oversee an entirely analogue production. The band wanted to make a recorded which sounded closer to what was in their collections as opposed to music which is generally released today, so deBoer tracked the band live at Sonic Ranch Studios in Tornillo, Texas, like it was 1989.

Influenced by the likes of Morbid Angel, Pestilence, and Voïvod, they have already started making a name for themselves, undertaking tours with the likes of Goatwhore (it’s hard to believe that they have been around for more than 25 years!). This five-track 21-minute-long release does feel quite dated in many ways, but that is quite intentional as the band look back in time for their influences and sound, and there is no doubt we are also getting some black metal influences as well as death and thrash, especially in the closing track, “Into Necroverse” which at six minutes is also the longest song on the album. I am offered a lot of music every day, and do not take as many “unknown” bands as I should, but I am glad I did with this one as while this is deliberately rough and raw there is something about it which shows promise. Both this and their last EP are available through Bandcamp so if you enjoy this style of metal why not give them a try.

Rating: 6/10

Links:
https://herakleion.net/