ARTAMENE
"Ziggurat" (Self-released; 2021)
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Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton
Artamene are a heavy metal band out of Iran, which is an entire story in itself, but the story we'll focus on today is the band's album, "Ziggurat."
First and foremost, "Ziggurat" is an amazingly well-produced album, with all instruments and vocals crystal clear and well-mixed. The music is probably best described as thrash metal, due to the songs' often galloping rhythms and fast paces but Artamene doesn't live in just one world of heavy metal. Many songs, such as "Fear of Darkness" and the soaring "Petrichor" have a slower pace while retaining the heavy guitars and upfront bass. When it's time for a lead to come in, it's brilliantly sharp and well-played (as on "Shining Black") and the vocals are a successful mix of clean singing and accessible growls.
When you review a heavy metal album for a band in Iran, you tend to do to support the genre amidst all its struggles in that country. It's always a pleasure to discover that the music is actually good and the same time, and that is certainly the case with Artamene's "Ziggurat." Check it out.
For more information, check out https://artamene-official.com/.
Rating Guide:
A classic. This record will kick your ass.
Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.
So-so. You've heard better.
Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.
Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.
Copyright ? 2021 by R. Scott Bolton. All rights reserved.
