Χωρίς Θάνατο – Επίγεια Κολαστήρια

Artist: Χωρίς Θάνατο

Title: Επίγεια Κολαστήρια

Release: Digital

Year: 2024

Label: Self-Released

Since the late ’80s, the Greek DIY scene has cultivated a rich crust punk tradition. In the early ’90s, when bands like Ναυτία (Nausea), Xαοτικό Τέλος (Chaotic End), Ξεχασμένη Προφητεία (Forgotten Prophecy), Ανάσα Στάχτη (Ashen Breath), Βιομηχανική Αυτοκτονία (Industrial Suicide) built on the stenchcore and dark extreme metal sounds of the previous years to create a sonic imprint that, together with the radical libertarian and/or anarchist, anti-consumerist & anti-capitalist politics in their lyrics and ethics, would create what could be called a “trademark” Greek crustcore sound. Since then, and especially in the last decade, the local crust scene has experienced a vital resurgence with acts such as Conspiracy Of Denial, Καταχνιά (Kataxnia)—and Επιθανάτιος Ρόγχος (Epithanatios Rogxos) before that—, Sarabante, Mumrah, Antimob, Atopia, Procrastinate, etc., towards a mostly more neocrust horizon, though deeply rooted in the local DIY counterculture and self-organized squats.

Χωρίς Θάνατο (Choris Thanato, loosely translated as “Without Death”) is one of the latest bands to emerge from this tradition. As an active live band playing at self-organized events for some time now, with members already experienced in the local scene through other projects, Χωρίς Θάνατο released their debut album Επίγεια Κολαστήρια (Epigeia Kolastiria, translated as “Earthly chambers of hell”) earlier this year, largely fulfilling the promising feeling that their performances had left behind. The six compositions that comprise Επίγεια Κολαστήρια showcase the quartet’s love for the traditional ’90s crustcore sound, albeit with more modern and darker touches. Recorded in a self-organized studio, with an amazing production by the DIY collective Radikal Sounds, the first official recording of Χωρίς Θάνατο is an album dedicated to its ideals, not only thematically, but also existentially.

Χωρίς Θάνατο, in their message accompanying the release of the album, point out that it serves as a rallying cry against modern dystopia, against (mental) prisons, in memory of those murdered by the state, and in allegiance to the resisting counterculture. The 23 minutes of the record transform these themes into urgent crust sound waves that attack the listener with a sense of urban stench darkness, resonating with the basic principles of the (local) crust punk scene. In particular, Χωρίς Θάνατο stick to the soundscapes of the ’90s with songs like the eponymous one, bringing to mind bands like Disrupt, Misery, Detestation, Extinction Of Mankind, Hellkrusher, along with later heavyweights like War//Plague, Dodlage, Agnosy, and also bear many sonic similarities to Hibernation, Mumrah, Last Rites, Dyspnea, and Kataxnia from local acts.

Nevertheless, Χωρίς Θάνατο, with their focus on song structure, especially breaks and tempo shifts, have managed to create a crust punk album that lacks almost nothing. The band’s hunger and commitment to the subgenre and its aesthetics, as evidenced by the incredible cover art, leads them to a point of no compromise. “Απόδραση” (Escape) begins with a huge riff that, due to the excellent drumming, goes into a darker and more moody direction, only to return as a d-beat maelstrom, tormented by the deep and throaty vocals. Χωρίς Θάνατο sound at the top of their game every time they decide to let the ominous melodies gallop, though they don’t rest on that approach. Making sporadic use of the mid-tempo grinding rhythm, an element much in common between the Greek stench/crustcore scene and the traditional black metal scene, they manage to give the album a mentally heavy direction in keeping with its themes.

When Επίγεια Κολαστήρια reaches its final track, “Εκκωφαντική Σιωπή” (Deafening Silence), a literal call to arms sounds in a clean, balanced whisper. Χωρίς Θάνατο conclude their debut, leaving us with the promise of an even bigger follow-up in the near future. Επίγεια Κολαστήρια, of course, is in search of a more personal identity for a band making its first steps. But if you take into account the small details of the song structures and the compositional merits of changing themes and pacing in an organic and unbiased way, then you can be sure that this is a band to keep an eye and an ear on.

Personally, I can see a new branch in the Greek DIY tree blossoming while honoring its roots and influences with integrity. And in this day and age, in this part of the planet, being part of an active DIY scene with a focused artistic and political principle is more than important. It is vital for more people than are willing to admit it. Don’t miss the chance and get familiar with Χωρίς Θάνατο.

Source: diyconspiracy.net