The genres given on AGARTHA’s Encyclopaedia Metallum profile – Heavy Metal / Hard Rock – are slightly irritating as the band’s sound has definitely more facets than just this. In the intro alone, BLACK SABBATH and various other bands seem to shine through. This tendency continues throughout the five songs of the EP, with GRAND MAGUS springing to mind as the strongest opportunity to compare (possibly inappropriate, but anyway). ‘Silver King’, for one, is certainly very epic but does not have the doom bits which characterise the (earlier) sound of the Swedes. But the vocals do sometimes resemble the voice of JB Christoffersson, whereas I am also reminded of METAL INQUISITOR’s Robert ‘El Rojo’ Zerwas, and even Ozzy sometimes. Great names, great gripping soundscapes! ‘The Hidden’ is more (classic) Hard Rock – like, and also has these epic lyrics. These two songs are my recommendations, as the trademark old school approach followed by AGARTHA becomes really clear when listening to them. Despite sometimes being hard to grasp, this is certainly no ‘feel-good Hard Rock’ or even AOR but really delving into the field of classic Heavy Metal proper. This was also an impression the band members themselves once gave in an interview with Filthy Dogs Of Metal webzine, when they described their sound as intended ‘to sound like a lost demo from 1983’, a perception that certainly rings true when listening to their EP “The Hidden”. MANILLA ROAD, cited in said interview, absolutely show through as one of their influences. This is really interesting given that the (just two) members of the band have a distinct Black Metal and Death Metal background, but who am I to complain about them worhshipping old heroes in such a creative manner and finding their own sound, too? So far, AGARTHA only released a demo and this EP. Let’s hope they stick to their principles when it comes to putting together a full-length album! www.instagram.com/agarthanprophecy, www.facebook.com/noremorserecordsgreece