What's New: Ephialtes

Ephialtes: The Nightmares of Melas Oneiros

Band: Ephialtes
Album: Melas Oneiros
Country: Poland
Genre: Melodic Blackened Death Metal
Label: Black Lion Records
Release Date: November 1st, 2024

Ephialtes - To The Victims of Sirens (Official Video) 2024 | Black Lion Records

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCizsoQpl50

Ephialtes, fresh on the scene, has unleashed their debut album ‘Melas Oneiros’. Brace yourself for a wild ride through aggressive, anthemic melodies that land somewhere between melodic blackened death metal and, wait for it, classic heavy metal vibes! They’ve dubbed their sound "Heavy Metal of Death", which is pretty fitting if you ask me.

The name “Ephialtes” springs from the Ancient Greek term for “nightmare”. We’re talking about "ephiáltēs (ἐφιάλτης)"—seriously creepy stuff, right? It comes from “ephàllomai (ἐφάλλομαι)," meaning to leap upon. Makes sense, doesn’t it? As if nightmares themselves are these dark entities that creep over you while you sleep.

The band was born during the pandemic—yes, the time when we were all either baking sourdough or losing our minds. But for Przemysław Tomasz Olbryt, aka Quazarre (who’s got quite the history with Devilish Impressions and others), it was a creative spark. He started jotting down riffs like mad, with no real plan other than to see where this venture would lead. “Just grab the guitar,” he recounted, “and go with the flow". You can almost hear the excitement bubbling through his words!

Alongside him are his mates from Devilish Impressions, pulling in their talents for both recording and live shows. Plus, they've got Marcus Edvardsson from Sweden's Souldrainer adding epic, choir-like synthesizers—that’s right, it’s not just riffs; it's an atmospheric experience!

Recording kicked off in 2021 at various studios across Poland and Sweden. We’re talking Icaros Studio, Metallfabriken Studio—it’s like a European tour of music wizardry! The whole shebang was wrapped up at Impressive-Art Studio under the watchful eye of Przemysław Nowak. Quazarre emphasizes that they didn’t just slap some tracks together. Nope! They meticulously tweaked arrangements until they were singing in harmony.

And let me tell you, this album doesn’t just make noise; it’s a roaring testament to what Melodic Blackened Death Metal can sound like today. ‘Melas Oneiros’ resonates with catchy hooks, powerful riffs, and chilling melodies that wrap you in a dark, yet stunning atmosphere. It’s that haunting blend of black, death, and heavy metal that keeps you wanting more.

“We’re definitely not re-inventing the wheel here,” Quazarre asserts, “but we’ve got our own spin on it.” And hey, this isn’t about pandering to anyone else’s taste—it’s all about unleashing their own creative chaos. “We’re the liberated ones”, he declares, aptly dubbing themselves "The One Who Leaps Upon". Talk about confidence!

In a nutshell, ‘Melas Oneiros’ isn’t just a debut; it’s an outright statement. It challenges the norms while maintaining respect for classic elements. Prepare for a tumultuous listening experience—it’s a real "love it or hate it" affair!

So, are you ready to dive into this sonic nightmare? With this album, Ephialtes invites us to embrace the chaos and darkness lurking beneath the surface. Feel free to join the mosh pit—just watch your back; the nightmares are coming for you!