I first came into contact with AmongRuins, when we did a reaction to the video for “End of My Fall” and, to be honest, melodic death metal will always hold a special place in my heart—especially when it’s delivered with such quality. “Advent of Chaos” is the Athenians’ fourth full-length album, and from its very first minutes it draws you into a dark atmosphere. “Frozen to the Core”, “Advent of Chaos” and “Red Divine” serve as the ideal opening, transporting the listener to the Scandinavian North, home to bands such as Amorphis, Insomnium, In Flames and Dark Tranquillity. Among Ruins move effortlessly between melody and darkness without losing the aggression the genre demands, managing to keep the listener’s interest consistently high. Special mention should be made of the album’s solid structure and track sequencing. After the first three powerful tracks, “Into the Flame” slightly shifts the dynamics, featuring Christiana Chatzimichali of Elysion, whose beautiful voice and performance add a different shade to the album’s sound. “Symphony of Loss” stands out and is, personally, the album’s high point. Subtle black metal touches, combined with a strong Swedish character and excellent vocal performance—especially in the chorus—make the song instantly addictive. “Open Wounds” is a slower, darker moment with pronounced melodicism. The clean vocals of Giorgos Prokopiou (Mother of Millions) add extra melancholy and depth. Although it differs noticeably from the rest of the album, it is a carefully crafted song that will certainly find its audience. The album closes powerfully with “Chained” and “Night Mother”, two tracks that perfectly balance melody and aggression, leaving a sense of completeness and a desire for repeated listens. The production is clean, tight, and perfectly balanced. The choice of Deep Noise Studios in Finland and Saku Moilanen highlights the band’s attention to detail and dedication to the musical style they serve. “Advent of Chaos” is an album that will satisfy fans of European death metal, successfully blending Swedish and Finnish influences and adding to the Greek scene a release that deserves a place in every serious collection.
♦ 8,5/10
Christos Kosmidis
