Burial Hordes: Unearthing the Abyssal Depths of Greek Black Metal
Hailing from the ancient city of Athens, Greece, Burial Hordes emerged from the depths of the underground metal scene in the early 2000s. Formed in 2001 by founding members Psychaos (vocals) and Necrotormentor (guitar), the band quickly established themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the realm of blackened death metal. Drawing inspiration from the dark and mystical aspects of Greek mythology, Burial Hordes’ music is a relentless assault of crushing riffs, blistering drumming, and venomous vocals that evoke a sense of impending doom and chaos.
The band’s early years were marked by a series of demos and split releases, including their debut demo “Craving the End” in 2003 and the split EP “Awakening of the Ancient Ones” in 2004. These releases showcased Burial Hordes’ raw and uncompromising sound, drawing comparisons to revered acts such as Rotting Christ and Varathron. However, it was their debut full-length album, “War, Revenge and Total Annihilation,” released in 2006, that solidified the band’s status as one of the leading forces in the Greek black metal scene.
With its relentless assault of blast beats, menacing riffs, and haunting atmospheres, “War, Revenge and Total Annihilation” showcased Burial Hordes at the peak of their powers. Tracks like “The Flames of the End” and “Praise the Bloodcode” delivered a visceral onslaught of aggression and darkness, while the epic closer “The Rise of the Black Moon” displayed the band’s ability to craft epic and atmospheric compositions that transcended the boundaries of traditional black metal.
Following the release of their debut album, Burial Hordes embarked on a series of live performances, sharing the stage with legendary acts such as Behemoth, Mayhem, and Gorgoroth. Their intense and chaotic live shows further cemented their reputation as a formidable live act, known for their ferocious energy and uncompromising dedication to their craft.
In the years that followed, Burial Hordes continued to push the boundaries of their sound, incorporating elements of death metal, thrash, and even punk into their sonic palette. This evolution was evident on their sophomore album, “Devotion to Unholy Creed,” released in 2014. Songs like “Thy Glorification” and “Whispers of Incubus” showcased the band’s growth as songwriters, blending blistering aggression with moments of eerie beauty and melancholy.
Despite lineup changes and challenges along the way, Burial Hordes have remained a constant presence in the Greek metal scene, releasing a steady stream of albums, EPs, and splits that have garnered critical acclaim and a dedicated following of fans worldwide. With their uncompromising dedication to their craft and their relentless pursuit of darkness and chaos, Burial Hordes stand as a testament to the enduring power of Greek black metal and continue to inspire a new generation of metalheads to embrace the abyssal depths of extreme music.