Pythia – V Pt 1: Unhallowed

Pythia
V Pt 1: Unhallowed
Label: Golden Axe
Out : 23. Mai 2025
Playtime: 24:56

It is now six years since British symphonic metallers Pythia released their last album to date, ‘The Solace Of The Earth’, the first after the departure of long-time singer Emily Alice Ovenden. At that time, Sophie Dorman stepped into her oversized shoes. However, she wasn’t able to fill them 100%. I also noted this in my review at the time. Fortunately, there have been no line-up changes in recent years. Now the Brits are making their second attempt to build on the ‘good old days’. ‘V Pt 1: Unhallowed‘ is the Brits’ first EP and their fifth somewhat longer release. That could explain the title. Or does ‘V’ stand for ‘Victory. After all, we are obviously listening to the first part of a multi-part EP/album series.

‘Unhallowed’ is therefore the title track of this first part. Sounds of wind and rain, an elfish chorus. That’s what the short introduction sounds like. But then the guitar riffs start to bang. Accompanied by a fast, powerful guitar melody. Sophie Dorman sings powerfully. She has to assert herself against the full force of the instrumental section. But as on ‘The Solace Of The Earth’, she has a little difficulty with the high notes. But she doesn’t use them too often. ‘Path Of Decay’ starts more quietly with clean guitars. We then move into Power Metal realms again, this time mostly in the mid-tempo range, or a little above it. Sophie impresses with her sometimes dark timbre. Discreet keyboard tapestries add a symphonic touch. ‘A Curse In The Blood’ is characterised by pounding riffs with epic choruses underneath. The vocals, indeed, the whole song, seem a little calmer. On the other hand, ‘Muses Of The Night’ goes into high-speed mode. Drums and guitars whip the singer forward. The mid-tempo rocker ‘Bright Flame’ is introduced by banging drum rhythms. The epic choruses repeatedly push themselves to the fore.

On ‘V Pt 1: Unhallowed’, Pythia celebrate varied Power Metal, enriched with symphonic and epic elements. The songs are particularly impressive when singer Sophie Dorman doesn’t overuse the high notes. But compared to the previous album, she makes less use of it. Again and again, she is spurred on by her colleagues to produce powerful vocal parts – powerful drums and hard riffs ensure this. In addition, there are always a few strong guitar solos. I like the EP much better than the 2019 album. I’m already waiting for Pt 2, Pt 3, …

Pythia – Unhallowed: https://youtu.be/aBiZZSsATcw?si=g3cavqoX30mFt8r8

Lineup:

Sophie Dorman – Vocals
Ross White – Guitars
Marc Dyos – Drums
Ash Porter – Bass
Jamie Hunt – Guitars
Marcus Matusiak – Keys

Tracklist:

• Unhallowed
• Path Of Decay
• A Curse In The Blood
• Muses Of The Night
• Bright Flame