Formed in 2002 this highly promising Greek band released only one demo so far in the year of their conception as well as this 2-track promo CD, which despite its rather short length has left an entirely positive impression behind. By melting dark and morbid old school Death Metal in the Scandinavian vein (DEMIGOD, GRAVE, EDGE OF SANITY, newer acts like KAAMOS) with some twisted, spacy, luckily not overdone musical and lyrical elements – whose atmospheric effect reminds me a bit of US-cult Deathers NOCTURNUS – this Greek trio (plus the session member (ab)used for this recording) has created a very fascinating formula of Death Metal. Production-wise and regarding the sinister growls, the guitar-playing and drumming the early 90s influence is inevitable and steps on classic paths, but with some spherical yet gloomy keyboard sounds in between (something many Death Metal bands dared to experiment with in the past and (cowardly) fear to do these days), some really wicked clean vocals in the first track, THE CIRCLE OF ZAPHYAN have certainly a few surprising elements to offer. The second track ‘Your Inner Wasteland To Behold’ has also some great, unobtrusive, very moody keys but is overall more conventional than the opener. THE CIRCLE OF ZAPHYAN is a damn good band, fantastically produced and brutality, melodies respectively dismal atmosphere are satisfactorily present to equal parts. Hopefully the band gets the chance to release the already announced full-length soon, because if this one holds up the quality of these two promo tracks I dare saying that there might be a true killer album coming up! Visit the band’s website www.thecircleofzaphyan.com and check out these two tracks, which are both available online under “echoes”. Godly! Hail to Greece!!!