Ὁπλίτης (Hoplites) – Παραμαινομένη (Review)

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

So, it was January 2023, and out of nowhere Ὁπλίτης appeared into my life with the devastating Ψευδομένη; a uniquely brutal record that introduced me to the atypical blackened world of this enigmatic entity. This, rather unexpectedly, was quickly followed up by the equally destructive Τρωθησομένη and then Ἀντιτιμωρουμένη. This punishing rate of releases showcased an artist with a mastery of both quality and quantity, which is astonishingly rare, so much that I included all three in a shared slot my best of 2023 album list.

A year later from the sonic eruption of Ψευδομένη, and we have Παραμαινομένη; equally unheralded and unexpected, yet hugely welcomed. On this new record the artist behind Ὁπλίτης has taken the style developed in the previous albums and tweaked it into into a newly evolved predator. Less songs, but longer in duration, this is the project’s longest album at 53 minutes in duration, and sees the music adopt its most progressive persona.

Like the last three records, Παραμαινομένη really is something special, but this is not business as usual for Ὁπλίτης. After three Hellishly impressive albums it’s great to see the artist branching out and challenging the listener further, while still retaining all of the massively aggressive assets that have been cultivated up to this point.

Despite Παραμαινομένη‘s raging brutality, this is a more textured release overall, boasting a range of different ideas and creative noises spread out amidst the chaotic carnage, (the use of saxophone is both inspired and striking). These progressive and experimental/avant-garde elements are blended seamlessly into the music’s base of blackened mathcore mayhem that underpins everything here. It’s shockingly abrasive and harsh, yet carries with it an ability to captivate with its vast selection of lethal riffs, serpentine melodies, and intelligent structuring. Παραμαινομένη wields hooks like weapons and has a greater depth than anything this snarling and vicious has any right too.

As an artist Ὁπλίτης is certainly not content to remain in the same place. Παραμαινομένη is a triumph of blackened artistry and scathing violence. More atmospheric, experimental, avant-garde, and progressive than previous incarnations, it still has a heart of chaos that beats with ferocious intensity.

This is a magnificent album, and you simply must listen to it if you have a taste for adventurous, creative, non-standard extreme metal.

DO NOT MISS!