A new chapter opens for Khôra.
Created in 2012 by Ole (guitar) as a one-man band, the project developed a demo in 2016, then evolved into a band, offering us an album in 2020. Five years later, accompanied by Kjetil (keyboards/orchestrations, Profane Burial), Göran (bass, Ceremonial Death, Svartghast, ex-Setherial) and Frédéric (vocals, Cor Serpentii, Orakle), the band signs with Les Acteurs de l’Ombre Productions to unveil Ananke.
The album also credits former members or guests: Blasphemer (Aura Noir, Ruïm, Vltimas), Daniel Müller (Wilderun), Cosmocrator (Mindgrinder, The Wretched End), Arnhwald R. (Deathcode Society, ex-Glaciation), PJ O’Connell (Keith McCoy), Kristian Niemann (Sorcerer, ex-Therion), Bill Kranos (Savaoth) and Wolfgang Rothbauer (In Slumber, Thirdmoon…).
The mysterious introduction to Empyreal Spindle greets us with its darkness before suddenly bursting into flames, revealing all the fury of an oppressive instrumental, but also of a totally unleashed vocalist. Occasional clean vocals join in with the howling, but the band remains rooted in majestic violence, as on the chilling Legion Of The Moirai, which offers an eerie moment of respite before embracing us in its darkness. The overall tone remains solemn, but there are some virulent passages and very dissonant moments, while Wrestling With The Gods takes a crazier and more jerky approach, also allowing the vocal parts to show more versatility, as do the guitar harmonics. The tension eventually subsides on its own, and then In The Throes Of Ascension literally explodes, adopting aggressive Old School influences, but also rather heavy tones, thanks in particular to bass and orchestrations, and it’s the latter that will guide Arcane Creation, a rather theatrical but still massive interlude. Violence returns in a rather ethereal way with On A Starpath, a cosmic, avant-garde creation reminiscent of the strangeness of certain Norwegian bands, then it’s with Black/Thrash roots that the musicians assault us on The Sentinel, the next track. Although it’s clear that heady tones are never far away, it’s the wild drum patterns that take precedence, while the guitars envelop us in their melancholy before surrendering us to the steamy aspect of the complex Supernal Light, which follows and bewitches us in its turn. Back to the chill on Crowned, which opens with an ominous breeze, and continues with its menacing riffs that gain momentum, alternating paces from a soothing moment to a brisk charge, but the assault ends with Q.E.D., an as mysterious outro as ever that closes the album in quite theatrical way.
I didn’t know what to expect from Ananke, but it’s a quality experience! If fans of raw sounds will be taken aback, Khôra is sure to satisfy Black Metal adventurers with its disturbing touches!
85/100