Varathron – The Crimson Temple Review

“Always respect an old man still playing in a young man’s game,” the saying goes. “There’s a reason they’re still around.” With that in mind, it’s curious how little attention Greek black metal stalwarts, Varathron, generally receive. Formed 35 years ago in an era when many AMG staff had not been conceived, and Steel Druhm still had hair, Varathron were instrumental in establishing the famous “Hellenic black metal sound” alongside legends such as Rotting Christ and Macabre Omen. Perhaps it’s the frequent line-up changes, or the lengthy gap between albums (at 7 albums in 35 years, they’re no Rogga Johannson), or maybe it’s the long shadow cast by more famous contemporaries, but for whatever reason, these influential elders have long flown under the radar (only 2014’s Untrodden Corridors of Hades has been reviewed on this site). That’s a pity, because 2018’s Patriarchs of Evil was a fantastic slab of black metal goodness, crying out for TYMHM treatment. Now these legends are back with The Crimson Temple. Does the AMG Law of Diminishing Returns^TM apply? Or does wisdom keep the inevitable at bay?

What’s always set Varathron apart from many pretenders is their willingness to incorporate elements of traditional metal into the black metal aesthetic. Yes, you’ve got the occult influences; yes, you’ve got the synths and the tremolos; but what you may not be expecting is the strong emphasis on riff-based melodies and a classic approach to songwriting. No long, pointless doodles or interludes… no, what we have here is verse-chorus-verse of the good stuff, with minimal bloat or drag. As their career has progressed, Varathron’s production have improved massively, with the music becoming more melodic and accessible. As we arrive at The Crimson Temple, we are, by black metal standards, in accessible territory, with Varathron continuing the trend of shinier production, catchier melodies, and a lighter approach. There’s also an embrace of slightly different styles (thrash, doom, and death metal all weave their way in). It’s with these explorations that things go slightly awry. While never unenjoyable, the new forays result in the band occasionally getting bogged down.

The Crimson Temple starts incredibly strongly, with three bangers right out of the gate. “Hegemony of Chaos,” “Crypts in the Mist,” and “Cimmerian Priesthood” highlight what makes Varathron such a potent outfit. There’s a perfect blend of evil atmosphere, catchy melodies, strong performances, and that uniquely Hellenic propulsion. These songs move, and they do so with purpose and momentum. I defy you not to tap your foot while listening to the chorus of “Crypts in the Mist.” Go on, just try it. If we’d had an album of these, we would all be rearranging our end-of-year lists. This approach isn’t completely abandoned in the second half, but only “Shrouds of the Miasmic Winds” comes close to capturing the early magic.

The Crimson Temple loses its footing when it marches gamely into realms Varathron aren’t as adept in. “Immortalis Regnum Diaboli,” with its emphasis on thrash, is only partially convincing, and that’s when the chorus steers back to black metal. “To the Gods of Yore” goes for a doomy, slower vibe that’s atmospheric, but boring. Varathron did this slow-song trick before, but whereas the more sedate parts on albums such as Patriarchs of Evil had gorgeous, melancholic synths, here we just have plodding guitars. It’s also a pity that most of the good material appears on the first half of the album, making it feel very unbalanced. There’s a noticeable loss of momentum as you head into the final quarter.

The Crimson Temple is incredibly frustrating to review. When it’s on fire, it’s excellent, highlighting what a potent and enjoyable band Varathron can be. I understand they wanted to experiment and avoid making an album of the same song repeated 10 times. But when that song is such a banger, I suppose I wanted them to do just that. The Crimson Temple shows that Varathron are not content to fly on autopilot in the twilight of their career. But sometimes, with age, comes wisdom. And wisdom is knowing what you’re good at and sticking with it. If there is another album in 6-7 years, I would love Varathron to consider that.

Rating: 3.0/5.0
DR: 8 | Format Reviewed: 320 kbps mp3
Label: Agonia Records
Websites: varathron.bandcamp.com | facebook.com/varathron
Released Worldwide: December 1st, 2023