Ὁπλίτης (Hoplites) – Ἀντιτιμωρουμένη (Review)

This is the third album from Ὁπλίτης, (otherwise known as Hoplites), a solo post-black metal band from China.

The artist behind Ὁπλίτης has had a busy year. This is the third album from this project alone, (following on from Ψευδομένη and Τρωθησομένη), never mind other extracurricular activities such as the Vitriolic Sage record. With such a withering rate of output, has Ἀντιτιμωρουμένη seen the quality levels of Ὁπλίτης dip?

Thankfully not. Honestly, this is just as good as the last two albums, and I absolutely love it. Sorry, but that’s just how it is.

Ἀντιτιμωρουμένη is yet another brutally satisfying collision of black metal, chaotic hardcore, and razor sharp thrash. It offers a feast of technical delivery and murderous riffs. Like the previous two releases, Ἀντιτιμωρουμένη combines its various influences into a compelling and remarkably addictive monster of fangs and spikes that somehow manages to make such an atypical, unfriendly, snarling beast of a thousand fast-moving claws sound weirdly accessible and catchy.

Ἀντιτιμωρουμένη is a masterclass in how to create a progressive form of blackened chaos that’s both impenetrable and inviting. It’s hard not to get drawn into the music’s harsh, labyrinthine embrace; despite how much it tears and rends your flesh, it makes you beg for more. Unforgiving, intricate, violent, and frenzied, Ἀντιτιμωρουμένη is the sort of record that forces you to fall deeply for its dark intensity.

Stop reading my inadequate words and go and listen to Ἀντιτιμωρουμένη. Turn the volume up to full and prepare yourself for a brutally absorbing experience.

Essential listening.