Released on: 27th April 2018
Spooky. If there was only one word in the world to describe the eponymous album from Greecians’ Martyria it would be spooky. Adding to the mystery, at this time, the album will only be released on vinyl. Adding an extra dimension to all the pops and cracks.
Martyria is a dark ambient composition with ritual musings that modulate in and through the songs. Its sentiments lie within ethereal boundaries that surround the listener in a canopy of choral layers. Afflicting the airwaves with electronic phenomena. Moving in and out of ominous passages and serendipitous relief the mood of Marytria wanders between oppressive arias and unbound sounds. Approaching otherworldly stature through its harmonic progression.
Haunting is another term that could be used to describe this piece of sonic architecture. With its Corinthian decorations adorned pessimistically with wails and screams. And yet these small engravings are cast away to be subdued and smoothed into monochromatic drones. Ghostly or ghastly much of the vocals sound like the song of a banshee. Luring people unto death while resenting the living.
A martyria is a site that holds the relics of a martyr or a church built upon the tomb of a martyr. Taking that information into consideration you can appreciate why the duo have decided to release their first album solely on vinyl. Martyria is in principle an art project but it sounds exactly like it should.
7/10
