LLOTH Αθάνατη CD

The 2017 album Αθάνατη (Athanati) by the Greek band Lloth, released as a professional CD digipak by Sleaszy Rider Records, is a deeply emotional and significant work within the Hellenic extreme metal scene. This release marks the revival of the original project that predated the formation of the pioneering all-female black metal band Astarte. More than just a standard Melodic Black Death Metal record, this album was conceived as a monumental tribute to Maria Tristessa Kolokouri, the legendary leader of Astarte who passed away in 2014. The project was brought to fruition by her husband, Nicolas Maiis, who assembled a powerful lineup to honor her musical legacy, resulting in a sound that seamlessly blends raw black metal aggression with the epic melodies and sophisticated arrangements characteristic of the mid-90s Greek metal school. The production of the album involved a collaborative effort from the elite of the Greek metal community, featuring guest appearances by iconic figures such as Sakis Tolis of Rotting Christ, Efthimis Karadimas of Nightfall, and Androniki Skoula of Chaostar. Recorded and mastered at the renowned Tico-Tico Studios in Finland, the album boasts a production that is both powerful and atmospheric, exploring themes of immortality, grief, and ancient mythology. The digipak edition is particularly notable for its high-quality visual presentation, featuring evocative cover art by artist Timo Wuerz that incorporates symbolic tributes to Tristessa. For fans of the Greek underground, this record serves as both a vital historical document and a visceral musical experience that balances ferocity with a profound, palpable sense of melancholy.