Ghosts Of Atlantis/Riddles of The Sycophants/Hammerheart Records/2023 Full Length Review

 

  Ghosts  of  Atlantis  are  a  band  from  the  united  Kingdom  that  has  been  featured  before  in  this  zine  and  plays  a  very  melodic,  progressive  and  symphonic  mixture  of  black,  gothic  and  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2023  album  "Riddles  of  the  Sycophants"  which  will  be  released  in  October  by  Hammerheart  Records.

  A  very  epic ,  heavy  and  symphonic  sound  starts  off  the  album  while  the  riffs  also  add  in  a  lot  of  melody.  Vocals  are  a  mixture  of  black  metal  screams  and  death  metal  growls  along  with  some  clear  singing  also  being  utilized  at  times  and  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  also  add  in  a  lot  of  blast  beats.

  Melodies  are  also  added  into  a  lot  of  the  guitar  riffing  while  the  music  also  has  its  progressive  moments.  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  along  with  some  operatic  female  vocals  and  choirs  also  being  added  on  some  of  the  tracks.

  Throughout  the  recording  you  can  also  hear  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  along  with  the  songs  also  mixing  in  elements  of  gothic  metal.  A  couple  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  the  Atlanteans  who  escaped  the  floods  and  different  stories  and  legends  from  various  world  mythologies.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  ano9ther  great  sounding  recording  from  Ghosts  Of  Atlantis  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  symphonic,  melodic  and  progressive  black,  gothic  and  death  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "March  Of  The  Titans"  "The  Lycaon  King"  "Sacremental"  and  "Riddles  of  The  Sycophants".  8  out  of  10.

  https://www.ghostsofatlantisofficial.com/

  

Ghosts of Atlantis Interview

 

1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the band?

We are a symphonic extreme metal five-piece from Suffolk UK, we take influence from different genres and bands but with Colin being a member of Devilment you can hear how that sound has influenced his songwriting. I personally love the massive sound and crisp production that is delivered with this project, but ultimately having both Colin and myself on vocals giving a contrast between extreme aggressive vocals and catchy clean vocals, gives a great dynamic for us to deliver this in a different way. (PP)

 

Pretty much what PIP said on that!  (CP) 

 

 

2.In March you have a full length coming out, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical style that you went for on the recording?

I was the last member to join GOA, so four of the tracks had already been completed musically and only needed having vocals adding. Colin sent me the files and between us, we started on the lyrics. You hear many influences from across different metal genres. Personally, we get many people to reference Septicflesh, Dimmu Borgir, Cradle Of Filth, and then others reference Soilwork, Amorphis, and In Flames. For me personally, I love all those bands and when had that likeness I take that very highly. (PP)

 

We wanted to be versatile, and incorporate music from different forms of media and genres. 

There is a definite cinematic feel to our sound and we also take influence from video game music. 

I guess the sound is cinematic blackened metal. (CP) 

 

 

3.The lyrics on the new album are based upon Greek Mythology and the lost city of Atlantis, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in these topics?

It is like when you see a film and it states, “Based on a true story”, we have taken parts of the Greek mythology to start our own lore. We didn’t want to keep to prewritten stories for songs. There will be elements of time travel and Sci-Fi going forward and traveling through portals of space and time. Using the story of Atlantis is only the first step. (PP)

 

We want to take the listener on a journey in their mind, to allow them to be swallowed up in the goa world and lore. 

(CP) 

 

 

4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Ghosts Of Atlantis'?

As I said earlier, I was the last member to join, and the names were already in place. But it originated from a project Dex, Rob, Colin and I spoke about a few years ago but never came to light. So when I was asked to join this the name was already in for this project. (PP)

 

5.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the new album cover?

We are incredibly lucky that Colin works on another project called DiAmorte, with Drake Mefestta from The Red Opera Productions. Drake has done the three lyric videos as well as all our artwork for 3.6.2.4, and the singles from it. Drake is phenomenal and understands fully what works for the band’s imagery. So, he really understood the full story as well as the lore before creating the art.

 

6.Are there any plans for live shows once the COVID19 pandemic is over with?

We can’t wait to bring this show to a live audience. We have nothing booked yet but keep an eye on our social media pages as when the contracts are signed, we will make sure to announce there first. (PP)

 

We are now looking at booking shows, and we hope to be live this year, once cv19 allows us to do so, we will be chomping at the bit!! (CP) 

 

7.The new album is coming out on 'Black Lion Records', how did you get in contact with this label?

When we had the first tracks recorded, we pitched our press kit out to a few labels and got a fantastic response from Black Lion Records. So, when we looked at the offers it felt like a great home for us and for the debut album. (PP)

 

8.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of symphonic black and death metal?

It has been a fantastic reaction from people across the globe. For me personally, that is very new, hearing people from different continents wanting more is crazy. I love I can share with a fan in Japan where the best place to pre-order the CD from. (PP)

 

We are very lucky to have a fair few fans from Devilment following the project, naturally being one of the main composers, the sound will translate across so i guess that's a natural transition. (CP) 

 

9.What is going on with some of the other bands or musical projects these days that some of the band members are a part of?

I am sure DiAmorte and Devilment are the two projects Colin is still with away from GOA. But Devilment is not active at the moment.

I did record a quick demo intended for Cold Lazarus, but I don’t see that recording any time soon. But is a possibility we may record at some point in the future, but nothing is planned. (PP)

 

DiaMorte is about to launch globally this year 

The project has an RPG campaign and a kove production, so its really lofty heights in terms of ambition. 

(CP) 

 

10.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?

Writing for album number two has already begun. Being so close to this one it almost feels like a natural flow, but as so early in the process, it is hard to say. I would like to keep exploring more with the extreme and symphonic sound. (PP)

 

It will remain very uninformed to our sound, however, we never want to remain static musically, the new album is shaping up to be heavier and more modern, yet keeping the DNA of 3.6.2.4 throughout. (CP) 

 

11.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

Personally, for my vocals I love the clarity on the Bloodbath Nightmares Made Flesh album, Peter nails, what I think is incredible how you can have so much aggression but clarity at the same time. So that is a big influence. What am I listening to? I am really enjoying the latest releases by Dark Tranquillity, Anaal Nathrakh and Killer Be Killed. (PP)

 

For myself, it would be Dimmu Borgir, Devilment, At the Gates, Soilwork, Amorphis, Pink Floyd, Marillion, Arch enemy, and Chimaira. (CP) 

 

 

12.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?

Most of all I would like to thank you for your time and for checking Ghosts Of Atlantis. WE look forward to getting 3.6.2.4 out to you all. (PP)

 

Thank you for taking the time to listen and experience GOA. 

Stay safe, and keep positive. 

(CP) 

Pre-Order:

https://ghostsofatlantisblacklion.bandcamp.com/album/3624 (Vinyl + Digipak + Boxset + Merch + Digital)

https://www.indiemerchstore.com/b/black-lion-records (Digipak + Boxset + Merch)

https://orcd.co/3-6-2-4 (Digital pre-save on Spotify, Apple, Deezer….)

 

For More Info:

– Ghosts of Atlantis –

https://www.ghostsofatlantisofficial.com

https://www.facebook.com/GhostsOfAtlantisofficial

https://www.instagram.com/ghostsofatlantisofficial 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8SA5SCkWeJWHAukfFT_21g 

Ghosts Of Atlantis/3.6.2.4/Black Lion Records/2021 CD Review

 

  Ghosts  Of  Atlantis  are  a  band  from  the  United  Kingdom  that  plays  a  symphonic  and  progressive  mixture  of  black,  goth  and  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2021  "3.6.2.4"  which  will  be  released  in  March  by  Black  Lion  Records.

  Symphonic  sounds  start  off  the  album  and  also  mix  in  with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  music  at  times  while  clean  goth  metal  style  singing  are  also  added  into  some  parts  of  the  recording.  The  vocals  also  add  in  a  mixture  of  black  metal  screams  and  death  metal  growls  and  touches  of  groove  metal  are  also  added  into  the  mid  tempo  sections  of t he  songs.    

  The  riffs  also  add  in  a  great  amount  of  melody  while  the  solos  and  leads  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style.  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  decent  amount  of  blast  beats  can  also  be  heard  along  with  some  tracks  also  adding  in  a  small  amount  of  clean  playing  and  the  music  also  has  its  progressive  moments.

  Spoken  word  parts  can  also  be  heard  in  certain  sections  of  the  recording  and  when  they  are  utilized  they  also  give  the  music  more  of  a  poetic  atmosphere.  All  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  album  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  as  well  as  some  tracks  also  adding  in  choirs,  throughout  the  recording  you  can  also  hear  a  decent  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  and  as  the  album  progresses  a  brief  use  of  acoustic  guitars  and  folk  instruments  can  also  be  heard.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  the  mythology  of  Greece  and  the  lost  cities  of  Atlantis  and  Lemuria.

  In  my  opinion  Ghosts  Of  Atlantis  are  a  very  great  sounding  progressive  and  symphonic  mixture  of  black,  goth,  death  and  groove  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Halls  Of  Lemuria"  "When  Tridents  Fall"  and  "The  Lost  Compass".  8  out  of  10.

https://www.ghostsofatlantisofficial.com
https://www.facebook.com/GhostsOfAtlantisofficial
https://www.instagram.com/ghostsofatlantisofficial 
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8SA5SCkWeJWHAukfFT_21g 

https://youtu.be/csO-nA3d27I