The first official full-length cd of :Golgotha: is devoted to war and more particular heroism in various forms. From the Japanse kamikaze units of 1945 to the ‘harmony of pen and sword’ of Mishima to the honourable death on the battlefield in ancient times.
You may not be surprised that this theme is explored musicwise with a martial atmosphere. Not that the ten tracks (+ 1 bonus) on “Kydos” are of the heavy orchestral kind that you may know of Triarii or Karjalan Sissit. :Golgotha: stay close to their ritual ambient style, it’s especially in the samples, percussion and general hymnlike mood that I’m reminded of war. The sound for instance makes me think me of the slower material of Dawn & Dusk Entwined, while a percussive piece like ‘Bury all hope’ has references to classic Test Dept stuff.
There are also a few folky songs present, like ‘Icarus’ with vocals by Patrick Leagas, a song which also appeared in various forms on the “Icarus EP”. Leagas also lends his voice to ‘Final age of heroism’, a typical minimal dark folk piece. Furthermore there is a cover of the Sol Invictus anthem ‘Heroes Day’, presented here as ‘Heldentag’ (though English spoken) in a decent rendition.
Overall I find ‘Kydos” a worthwile cd, in which the heroic theme is consequently worked out. Like on previous :Golgotha: releases, I think the soundscape piece are more cinvincing than the folky songs.
