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Mithras: Worlds beyond the veil

22/04/04 || Lord K Philipson

From the letter that came with the CD:

” ‘Worlds…’ carried forward in time the concept of ‘Forever…’ with its complex and intricate theme based on the thinking that in an infinite universe there exist worlds and realities beyond it, and in that, pantheon ones, which could exist as the ultimate anathema to man, or those which could conversely be construed as a heaven. Each track reveals another chapter in this near-apocalyptic story, and the ultimate hope that one day mankind may be able to reach the next stage of his evolution, based around ideas of the spirit and telepathy and the casting off of mundane ideals.”

Can you speak to me like I’m a 3-year old please?

I hate pseudo-deep bullshit stated to make a band look soooo fucken emotional and thoughtful. That’s the first thing I think when entering their website. The second thing is; what the fuck is a Mithras? “Oh shit, he kicked me in the mithras!”, “I had mithras last night and I’m so hungover today”, “Hello, my name is Mithras, I’m a fucken retard from Greece, how you doin’?”.

Congrats on the name guys, it sucks ass, ass and even more ass. Not to mention the fucken logo… Let’s leave it at that for now, shall we?

Candlelight usually spawn decent bands and the fuckers of Mithras are no different. But before we go into details I need to get some shit off my chest. I have a very hard time listening to albums where the drums are so trigged your cock falls off (Dimmu Borgir’s “Puritanical Whatthefuckever” anyone?). These guys probably thinks triggers are Satan’s gift to mankind, and they do everything they can to make sure we understand that. Besides that, the production is a bit too muddy for my liking.

But…

Mithras are quite good actually. They have managed to create a pretty original sound while not forgetting the core of what it’s all about; death metal, and more. I get a good ammount of Zyklon-vibes from these fellas. Both riffing-wise and vocal-wise. Alot of parts reminds me of Brazilian masters Krisiun as well, and that can’t possibly bea bad thing no matter how you twist it and turn it. But those fucken triggers people… It throws me off every time I put this album on. Just thought I’d mention that, again.

I usually love bands who play fast, and Englishmen Mithras are doing just that alot of the times. Their website states that they are “brutal, epic, experimental and extreme”. I would have to agree. They throw in all kinds of weird tempochanges and beats wherever they see fit and there’s alot of atmospheric and fucked up sounds layered all over the album. “Break the worlds’ divide” is a 3 minute piece of moody guitar-playing. Pretty much like something Opeth would use in the middle of a song, without actually sounding like them. Mithras are more brutal in general. “Search the endless planes” is a 6 minute instrumental full of keyboards and guitars. I’m not sure I fully appreciate a 6-minute trackof this shit when it’s metal I wanna hear. It would have been cooler if they used stuff like this like Pestilence did on “Testimony of the ancients”, I take a 30 second clip over a 6 minute one any day.

Anyways, apart from the obvious Zyklon-influences and awfully trigged drums, we have the typical Morbid Angel riffing here and there. You know, the pretty slowly played riffs with blastbeats over it. One thing I appreciate is the fact that Mithras can go on with some blasts for a few minutes just to stop and insert a slow, semi-accoustic break to enhance the atmosphere. I dig this kind of innovation. I would even go so far and say they have a sound of their own, while throwing in some more common death metal in the mix.

Another thing are the guitar-solos… The fucker can play for sure and those solos are a neat extra spice to the material. I was never a fan of Kerry King-type of solos, and obviously leadguitarist Leon isn’t either. What’s impressive is that it’s this fucker who’s playing the drums as well. He knows his shit. He’s no Nick Barker (except when it comes to the love of triggers), but he’s definitely an above-average drummer.

England’s a pretty shitty place when it comes to metal. (Thank fuck for Bolt Thrower or they’d be completely laughed at as a metal-country). Yes, it’s true. Not only do they have bad teeth and speak ugly as all fuck, they can’t can’t bring forth alot of good metal bands. Mithras would have be one of the better ones I’ve heard in a long time.

All I wish for are less trigged drums and a better production. But nonetheless, I recommend you to check these fuckers out, they are definitely worth yer time.

7,5 bad teeth out of 10

Information
Released: 2003
Label: Candlelight
Website: www.mithras.org.uk
Band
Rayner Coss: vocals, bass
Leon Macey: lead guitars, drums and percussion
Lee du-Caine: live lead and rhythm guitars

Tracklist
01. Portal to the…
02. Worlds beyond the veil
03. Bequeath thy visions
04. The caller and the listener
05. Break the worlds’ divide
06. Lords and masters
07. Psyrens
08. Voices in the void
09. The sands of time
10. Search the endless planes
11. They came and you were silent
12. Transcendence
13. Beyond the eyes of man

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