Horrorgraphy – A Knight’s Tale (Album Review)

Horrorgraphy
A Knight’s Tale
Label: Wormholedeath
Out: 19. January 2024
Playing time: 48:38

Horrorgraphy were founded in 2017 by Dimons Night aka Dimitris Sakkas in Athens (Greece). Dark and atmospheric sound tapestries are the band’s trademark. Or should we rather call it a project? After all, all instruments are played by founder Dimitris Sakkas. He has also gathered a large number of singers around him. The lyrics were inspired by mythologies and fantastic creatures. The first two albums were released two years apart. However, fans had to wait four years for the follow-up.

It goes without saying that “The Knight’s Tale” also starts with an intro. “Reputation And Honnor” is one and a half minutes long and begins with the pattering of horses, orchestral sounds and spoken words. Everyone has to decide for themselves whether this is dispensable. A guest appearance was announced for “Prison”. None other than Snowy Shaw (ex-Sabaton, ex-Therion, ex-King Diamond). And there’s some real power here too. What multi-instrumentalist Dimitris Sakkas delivers is remarkable. Typical of the genre, you can hear the vocal interplay of “The Beauty and the Beast” here. Things get quieter in between, with electric piano and synth strings dominating. Strings can also be heard in “Theseus” as an introduction before the drums kick in powerfully. And also the interplay between growls and male and female clean vocals. The latter mostly in high soprano and polyphonic. “Palamon” is then much quieter, with electric piano sounds. The female vocals here are more in the mezzo-soprano range. And even when the powerful rhythm instruments kick in later, it remains calm. A beautiful power ballad. Later, there are very theatrical spoken words that provide a strong contrast to the angry growls. And although it is a ballad, there are many progressive elements built in here – constant melody and rhythm changes. In addition to sacred choral singing, “Destiny” also features a lot of Progressive Metal borrowings and various sound and vocal gimmicks. The short interlude “Fate” is dominated by carpets of strings, which again underlay the spoken words. “Under The Sun” is another ballad with slightly less progressive influences. Again, with angry growls, but also calm and melodic. The nine-minute monumental epic “Τhe Morning Gray” brings the regular part to a close. Spoken words seem to be a passion of mastermind Dimitris Sakkas. That’s why you can also hear them here. Mainstream alternates with Progressive Death. What follows is a short outro dominated by strings and characterised by spoken words.

The album leaves me a little perplexed. Certainly the musical performance is beyond reproach. The vocalists are also convincing. But some of the compositions and arrangements are extremely difficult listening. In my opinion, the progressive flavour was somewhat exaggerated. Less would have been more here.

Horrorgraphy – Destiny (Lyric Video): https://youtu.be/53QyjwiFLzg?si=myIUvNK0wYtAcKRz

Lineup:

Dimitris Sakkas – Founder, Guitars, Keyboards, Bass, Drums, Sound Engineering
Katerina Sougklakoy – Female Vocals
Sevi Spanou – Female Vocals
Jason Tsolakis – Vocals
Ligmos – Black Vocals
Seek – Tenor Vocals

Track list:

• Reputation and Honour (Intro)
• Prison (ft. Snowy Shaw)
• Theseus
• Palamon
• Destiny
• Fate
• Under The Sun
• The Morning Gray
• The End