Soterios
The Blinding Pain of Unspoken Words
Reviewed by Doug Van Pelt
I remember the last time I was in a fist fight... I flailed my arms about in an effort to wreak havoc on my opponent and, at the same time, deflect his blows. That violent behavior compares to the raw intensity but differs from the controlled aggression of a friendly mosh pit. Everyone is knocked around a little, arms and elbows fly in every direction, but the fists are purposefully thrown to avoid striking others in general - especially avoiding faces or other vulnerable spots. Soterios brings the metal, and brings it with a full-on intensity and apparent recklessness, but its mighty guitar blows are calculated and almost surgical in their effectiveness. Vocally, the power is expressed in all out screaming, some death metal growling and black metal shrieking, and the restrained dynamics of new school talk-over bits. When a band plays this type of power music, it's easy to imagine instant respect from bands and fans alike at a club or skate park venue. Making worshipful tunes like "A Time to Embrace" all the more striking and effective. It's like the honor an athlete personally and publically gives God by bowing down after their victory. The thought is: 'People are giving me attention and honoring me for my performance, so I will honor the God who is worthy.' Sometimes this simple behavior is the best evangelism.