Artist: Thlipsis (Θλίψις)
Country: Greece
Label: Fucking Your Creation Records
Formats: CD EP
Year: 2025
Θλίψις’s previous outing, ‘Dawn Of Defiance’, from 2023 was quite an interesting record that combined some classic Black Metal with the more typical Greek Black Metal fundamentals. By no means that debut album came close to what the originators of the Hellenic Metal scene intended with classics such as ‘His Majesty At The Swamp’ or ‘Thy Mighty Contract’, instead Θλίψις went for a more modern approach that has more in common with the later works of bands like Rotting Christ, Kawir or Yoth Iria. With ‘Servants Of Apathy’ the band returns with a 3-track EP.
I am not entirely sure why the band left the Floga Records-stables and chose to go for the significantly smaller Fucking Your Creation Records label, but judging from the musical content, this has nothing to do with the music that’s on offer on this barely 16 minute clocking EP. ‘Servants of Apathy’ is quite a logical continuation from what the band presented us with ‘Dawn Of Defiance’. Not only in terms of the band’s musical direction, but also the way these three new songs are produced.
It sounds rather smooth and slick, a production that has more in common with the latest recording of Yoth Iria and again clearly defies the raw origins of Greek Black Metal. Yet, within that framework Θλίψις sounds accurate and dedicated to their brand of modern and melodic Black Metal. But compared to the debut album, the band did sacrifice some intensity on this EP for the sake of a grander and more overwhelming overall sound. The even tidier production on this EP gives the music a slightly less dynamic character, something that made ‘Dawn Of Defiance’ such a captivating listen. Especially when it comes to the impressive and overwhelming vocal delivery of both guitarists Felix Argus and Tumultus.
Still, ‘Servants Of Apathy’ is a solid follow-up to a great debut album and although the first two songs are by far the best of the three, I hope that this is merely an appetizer for whatever is cooking for Θλίψις.
