Firtan shines again.
For this fifth album, titled Helios, Phillip Thienger (vocals/guitar/keyboards, ex-Anwar), Oliver König (bass/vocals, Finsther Thron, Maersung, Finsterforst live), David Kempf (drums, Algetic, ex-Zerfall), Chris S. (guitar, ex-Ichorid), Klara Bachmair (violin), and Lukas Massinger (guitar, Perchta, Wesen) renew their partnership with the label AOP Records, as well as Markus Stock (Empyrium, The Vision Bleak…), who handles the mixing and mastering, as well as keyboards.
Himsa opens the album quite solemnly, offering a gentle yet rather dark introduction that grows increasingly melancholic before the heady violence emerges with Kalika’s Tongue, letting blast beats and frenzied riffs join forces to merge with the opening roars that immediately set the tone and anchor the track in rage. Even the clean vocals lend a heavy sound, complemented by an intoxicating violin that slightly softens our journey through the surrounding darkness, which offers slower, mystical passages before Ambrosia takes over, first giving us a moment to catch our breath so the vocalist can announce the return of darkness. This track features a slightly more old-school and direct approach, though it’s still elevated by theatrical orchestrations; however, the interplay of the various vocal parts also lends it an air of mystery before the riffs thicken one last time, leading into Solis Currus, an instantly hypnotic track that uses harmonics to capture our attention as the rhythm section builds. The track is quite dynamic, yet it always manages to regain its power and intensity between moments of respite, guiding us into the haunting Ascension, where the musicians welcome Christian Strobel (Stigmatized) to bolster the vocal section while the hazy riffs naturally take their course. We return to the raw sound with Wide Open Eye, which builds its imposing tones while maintaining its aggression and letting its surge roll out at a brisk pace; then the long, eponymous track Helios welcomes us with a soothing sound made up of choirs and very soft tones that, in turn, morph into a thick, ominous fog inhabited by piercing leads and ferocious growls. The haunting tones intensify, occasionally recalling the vocals from the introduction to temper the brutality, especially blast beats, then Christian Strobel returns to contribute to The Form Revealed, a track that’s back to a slightly more primitive form of Black Metal but keeps its intoxicating harmonics to create an interesting contrast. The band gives us just a few moments of respite with passages that are barely any softer before charging ahead again into Revealing Prana, which finally offers a true breather before seamlessly transitioning into The Hierophant, a track that easily exceeds ten minutes, unfolding as an epic and ever-changing adventure that explores the full range of their influences, whether fierce or far more majestic. James Dorton (Black Crown Initiate, The Faceless, Ne Obliviscaris) joins them in the ceremony, roaring at times, and then, alongside Christian Höll (Perchta, Vinsta) that the band presents Shadows of a Dawn Unborn, returning somewhat to their folk roots for a final touch of gentleness before Man of Iron, a Bathory cover, brings the curtain down on an already rich album that stays true to its pagan influences.
Firtan is capable of both visceral violence and intoxicating gentleness, and that’s exactly what they do with Helios, seamlessly blending these two elements to deliver intense tracks that are all unique.
90/100
