Firtan are a German black metal band and this is their fifth album.
Following on from 2022’s Marter and 2024’s Ethos, Helios brings us 60 minutes of well-crafted atmospheric black metal and post-blackened might. It is a record that reeks of high quality. Firtan have obviously put a lot of energy and care into its creation, and the results pay off.
Helios carries an air of sophistication, of intricate songwriting and immersive worldbuilding given sonic form. The music is primarily focused on feeling, delivering a vivid tapestry stained with blackened darkness. Alongside this is a rough and aggressive demeanour, with a death metal edge that provides a brutal aspect that surfaces when it is needed. The album is more than the ready and able to hold its own when things get physical, with a threatening growl that’s not lacking in bite.
The dark distortion of the guitars is frequently evocative. The songs are laced with tense atmosphere, melodic grandeur, charismatic riffs, textured colour, and much else. Firtan are equally adept at producing furious intensity as they are absorbing atmosphere. The guitars help shape Helios into the formidable entity that it is. However, they’re not the record’s only asset.
The core of Firtan’s black metal is irrevocably enriched by a range of good structuring, nuanced delivery, and creative ideas. This includes keyboard layers, a variety of effective clean vocals, and expressive, mood-enhancing violin. Longest cut The Hierophant features guest vocals too, (Black Crown Initiate/Ne Obliviscaris). Of course, there’s the obligatory pointless interlude – Revealing Prana – but apart from this, Helios is remarkably concise for its running time.
Helios offers up a feast of atmospheric soundscapes that are flavoured by a potent aggression. Compared to the two albums that came before this one, Firtan’s latest is the strongest of the bunch.
Very highly recommended.
