Diviner
Fallen Empires
Ulterium Records
2015
You never know when a new release will hit you like a hammer! That’s exactly what happened to me when I first came upon Diviner. But let’s take things from the start. Diviner is a Greek metal newcomer, which started in 2011 by the singer & composer Yiannis Papanikolaou (ex-InnerWish, ex-Eleftheroi, ex-Battleroar) and the guitarist Thimios Krikos (InnerWish). Later the guys were joined by George Maroulees (4Bitten) on guitars, Herc Booze (SiXforNinE) on bass and Fragiskos Samoilis (InnerWish) on drums.
It may have taken Diviner 4 years to release their debut album but it was totally worth waiting for. Sometimes it’s better to take things a bit back and come up with the best possible result instead of rushing to release an album without reaching any high standards at all. Undoubtedly, Yiannis is one of the top Greek metal vocalists. The same goes for Thimios who is among the top guitarists in Greece. This dynamic duo couldn’t present something less than impressive and dominant. Diviner is a heavy metal band with the actual term of the word which tends to become extinct due to the modernisms of today’s metal music. The guys play heavy metal, with power metal, dark, and melodic metal elements. They do have a contemporary twist but they stay true to the values of the heavy metal legacy. The production is tight, heavy & powerful. The album was engineered, mixed & produced by Thimios and co-produced by Yiannis. The drums production was done by Fotis Benardo (ex-Septic Flesh). Finally, the album was mastered by Peter In de Betou (Arch Enemy, Opeth, Amon Amarth).
The things that strike you right away are Yannis’ amazing vocals and Thimios’ great riffs. Yeah, finally a heavy metal album with guitar riffs that will make you headbang no matter what! In a time when everyone tends to show their heavy & intense side, Diviner are balancing between their heavy & melodic side. Their melodies are wonderful and they showcase that heavy metal can be melodious, as it used to be, without being cheesy & hollow.
“Fallen Empires” is a superb debut album by an up-and-coming Greek heavy metal force…
It may have taken Diviner 4 years to release their debut album but it was totally worth waiting for. Sometimes it’s better to take things a bit back and come up with the best possible result instead of rushing to release an album without reaching any high standards at all. Undoubtedly, Yiannis is one of the top Greek metal vocalists. The same goes for Thimios who is among the top guitarists in Greece. This dynamic duo couldn’t present something less than impressive and dominant. Diviner is a heavy metal band with the actual term of the word which tends to become extinct due to the modernisms of today’s metal music. The guys play heavy metal, with power metal, dark, and melodic metal elements. They do have a contemporary twist but they stay true to the values of the heavy metal legacy. The production is tight, heavy & powerful. The album was engineered, mixed & produced by Thimios and co-produced by Yiannis. The drums production was done by Fotis Benardo (ex-Septic Flesh). Finally, the album was mastered by Peter In de Betou (Arch Enemy, Opeth, Amon Amarth).
The things that strike you right away are Yannis’ amazing vocals and Thimios’ great riffs. Yeah, finally a heavy metal album with guitar riffs that will make you headbang no matter what! In a time when everyone tends to show their heavy & intense side, Diviner are balancing between their heavy & melodic side. Their melodies are wonderful and they showcase that heavy metal can be melodious, as it used to be, without being cheesy & hollow.
“Fallen Empires” is a superb debut album by an up-and-coming Greek heavy metal force…