ACHELOUS „Al Iskandar”

Music: Epic Folk Heavy Metal
Website: www.facebook.com/pages/Achelous/226987220830466
Duration: 14:29 minutes (2 songs)
Country: Greece

Greek ACHELOUS is a pretty young project, which was originally created as a one man-band by Achelous Chris, who later started cooperation with Chris Kappas – the singer of REFLECTION – the greek band existing from 1992 on the scene… These demo was included with the Lithuanian DIOVIM'zine magazine, which I will describe in another review…

The demo contains three songs… “Al Iskandar” immediately reminded me of STORM “Nordavind” because of the similar way of singing (in folk style) and melodic slow musical themes in a climate of Folk Metal.

“River God” introduced us to a slightly different climate, more Heavy Metal, dynamic and dark. Unfortunately, sometimes singer spoofs. And the using of clean singing for Power Heavy Metal should be impeccable. In the track beyond of the dark keys the timid singings of Irene Sahtourithere are audible in the background…

The last track “Pagan Child” is the most decorated in Folk tone – melancholic ballad, acoustic guitar, sounds of keyboards in style of pipes and flutes, with a calm gentle singing of Irene. Unfortunately she also sometimes spoofs vocally.

In total, the ideas of arrangement are interesting, but the whole is a bit spoiled by too a weak sound quality music and vocal shortcomings.

note: 7.5/10

Tracklist

1. Al Iskandar
2. River God (Achelous)
3. Pagan Child

Line-up

Chris Achelous: Guitars, Bass, Keyboards
Chris Kappas: Vocals

Guest musicians:
Irene Sahtouri – Vocals
Theodosis Charakopis: Drum Programming & Acoustic Guitar