GOSPEL OF GRIEF – Our Symbol is Death CD review

GOSPEL OF GRIEF – Our Symbol is Death CD
Cryptia Productions

When you think of Greek black metal the obvious names pop up like scene launchers ROTTING CHRIST. Then there’s everyone’s favorite one man misanthrope DODSFERD who has a split release out now which might be a side track for his planned destruction of the human race. Another favorite of mine is the all female black metal act ASTARTE who hasn’t released anything in the past three years. SLAUGHTERED PRIEST is another name which should pop up as well especially if you like your BM a little necro, which I sometimes do. I know I’ve forgotten a few others but another name to add towards the great heritage of Greek black metal will be this band, GOSPEL OF GRIEF. Our Symbol is Death is their debut full length and no it’s not the second coming. But in a genre with various bands from all over vying to be unique and out of the ordinary what this band does is keep things consistent and turn out quality.

The black metal wheel doesn’t need any more spokes and the tread looks to be in good shape so what GOSPEL OF GRIEF does on here is add mileage to the old bugger. Their major influence, as far as their sound goes, comes straight from Scandinavia and the genre’s latter second wave. Obviously their homeland comes into play but they’re not trying to be a carbon copy of any Greek well to dos. That’s why this kind of sounds like some long lost gem from the mid 90s albeit with slightly better production. Their vocalist, 108 is his nom de plume, has a good sick sounding voice which he uses well in the harsh screams as well as the spoken word portions of their songs. They employ a twin guitar assault but they keep it very melodic. With all that said their songs range from mid paced mood inducers to all out beat nails into your forehead blasts. There’s ten good cuts altogether on here but that’s if you include the forty second intro. Sometimes it’s consistency and quality of craft which beats out progression. Its bands like this which you need to keep an eye on.

www.cryptia666.com