Athanasia – The Order of the Silver Compass CD

““Read Between The Lines,” is a haunting and melodic overture, that brings a great deal of heart and power to the opening of the album. Displaying each member of the band’s talents in abundance, be it a soaring cadence, or a ripping shredfest of a riff, or the pounding of the drums. “Spoils Of War,” is another pounding and fist pumping charger of a song. That once again shows off just how good the band are, with some very relevant lines thrown in. “The Order Of The Silver Compass,” is a pounding monster of a song, with growls aplenty and some snarling weaving melodies thrown in for good measure. “Cyclops Lord,” is a soaring anthem, with big bold melodies and some sharp contrasts thrown in for good measure. “The Bohemian,” a snarling duel between right and wrong, between the differing flavours within the fold, all of which ensure that things never quite change, and never truly venture without. “Mechanized Assault,” is a brutal riff melody which leads and bounds within and without. “Nightmare Sound,” is a slow build, with increasing bounds of aggression and destruction present through the lyrics and melodies. “White Horse,” slows things down and adds a touch of melody into proceedings”
– The Median Man“Just like you think you’ve had it, the title track The Order Of The Silver Compass is kicking in, just in time. Here shows the band their black metal side, while the basis lies on a bay-area sound. The vocals are even more black, while the melancholy clean chorus is sung in a way we know from a band like Mercenary or Scar Symmetry……
….On Mechanized Assault the throttle, after another long intro, is pushed. Blackend groove metal predominates, because that’s how you can describe the band in this song. Through the addition of some sympphonic keyboards, this song also shows some influences from bands like Behemoth, Samael, Rotting Christ or Dimmu Borgir. Something that also emerges in the ensuing Nightmare Sound, while the melancholic vocals from the beginning of the album return….
…..The band is in the midst of heavy metal and black metal, but offers fans of both genres enough material to drink a beer together. ”
– Metal Warehouse

“The style of ‡ Athanasia ‡ is not so easy to put in any of the usual drawers. Rather, the band moves in a conglomerate on classic Metal, Thrash and Death / Black Metal elements whose weighting varies within the songs constantly. On the one hand, this may take a bit of getting used to, but on the other hand it may appeal to a willing and diverse audience.”
– Hellfire-Magazin

“Strong debut of the US band Athanasia. A broad coverage of various metal genres, vocal variety and wild guitar solos. Especially in the second half of the album “The Order Of The Silver Compass” is going strong. Listen and enjoy. Let’s hope that this debut album will be followed by many more Athansia works”
– Metal Inside