Whenever you think about Greece, about the Greek Metal scene and, in general, about what this wonderful country represents for Metal, you instantly think about quality, deep meaning, a sound that is unique. It comes to your mind (I know) those iconic Black Metal bands that have left an incomparable legacy not only in Greece or Europe, but also around the globe since the late ’80s and early ’90s. Well, ZARATUS is inheriting the blood of those classic bands while adding their own personality. Are you expecting from ZARATUS that classic Hellenic Black Metal sound à la ROTTING CHRIST, VARATHRON, ZEMIAL, THOU ART LORD, AGATUS or KAWIR? Well, let me tell you, don’t expect that! ZARATUS is most likely adding to the Greek Black Metal map a different taste. They distance themselves from the typical sound that Greek bands have projected throughout the years and, yes, you might still find some elements of those bands here, but the feeling, the intention and the vibe are intended to be way more melodic, giving more resonance to the atmospheric, theatrical and even classical and experimental music. For ZARATUS, it would be really, really easy to just sound like (for example) VARATHRON as (yes), the historic Stefan Necroabyssious is also the ZARATUS vocalist. But here, on this wonderful album, “Those Who Dwell Beyond”, the band offers you a totally different journey, more introspective, focused on making you transit even through melancholy, despair and chaos. Stefan Necroabyssious sings here very melodically, while Bill Zobolas (another old man from the Greek Black Metal scene) is the mastermind behind that constant and constant and constant guitar beauty. I feel completely mesmerized just by listening to what those guitars have to tell you all across the album. Absolutely astonishing! In general, the music is simply dimensional. This is, for me, an album that I adore, as I (when it comes to Black Metal) tend to prefer the more atmospheric, ambient and dense side of the coin. And I can say (no regrets) that I can deal with all those “experimental” sounds going back and forth now and then across the album. I fucking love this album! More information here: www.facebook.com/zaratusblackmetal, www.facebook.com/vanrecords