Heathendom – Nescience

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A Greek metal band taking their influence from Denmark. Unusual? Perhaps. But Heathendom’s interesting cross-over of power and doom metal a la Mercyful Fate is somewhat refreshing and a real joy of a metal album to listen to. One of the best produced records on Italian label Metal On Metal Records (courtesy of guitarist Lefteris Vourliotis) every track combines immediate riffs and wailing vocals into an ominous sound that recalls Candlemass, but with more dimensions. Burn, for example, could be a Candlemass track, but for the variation in the vocals from doom to power throughout the song. Other tracks, like The Doll House, shift between so many different riffs that Rust In Peace comes to mind quite readily. War & Pain, from their self-financed 2005 demo Heathendom is included as a bonus track, and sounds entirely like part of the album and not at all like a demo, but it is a but blunter than the rest, showing how they’ve evolved their sound and style. There’s so much going on in these songs, in terms of riffs, time and style changes (check out the brilliant medieval acoustic guitars in the middle of Mirror of Memories), singing and so on, that there should be plenty to enjoy for fans of any kind of traditional, power or doom metal. Nescience is a remarkably well constructed metal album, and essential in the genre.

Written by Andy Lye
More: Albums, Doom Metal, Heavy Metal, Quick.Play Reviews, Heathendom