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Blindfolded

    
       
       
       
     
             
Heavenblack are a heavy metal band from Greece formed in 2014 releasing their self titled debut E.P. in 2018, and full length debut album 'Blindfolded' in 2024.    
             
Founded by guitarist Giannis Patakakis, the bands line-up is completed by vocalist Marios Kouroupis, guitarist Dimitris Varvarigos, drummer Panagiotis Vlahos, and bass player Constantinos Voulgaris, 'Blindfolded' consisting of eight songs across forty two minutes - that's forty two minutes of mid to high tempo heavy metal with touches of Grunge and alternative metal thrown in. The band launch the album with the classic sounding metaller 'Hell Denied', and a guitar tone straight outta the eighties and the evolutionary NWOBHM, 'Hell Denied' progressing to pound the ground hard with a force that's gonna set off earthquakes deep down in the earth! Heavenblack have grabbed listeners attentions right from the off, and aren't prepared to let 'em go as 'My Insane' bustles into view with a more abrasive texture than the previous song. A harder, tougher attitude accompanies 'My Insane' as does an infectious and highly melodious intent, the band straddling the border of heavy rock and heavy metal to attract a very wide audience.    
             
An audience that's gonna comprise rockers and metallers from the traditional, alternative and classic walks of rock, 'Blindfolded' striding on with the tempo changing 'The Dominant', a more melancholic feel descending upon the album! But only a little though, for when 'The Dominant' gets fully into its stride, a foot stomping attitude takes over and a bouncy, catchy feeling rises high in the air. The multitude of styles across 'The Dominant's five and a half minute run time is staggering, the band displaying their vast sonic arsenal! The bands self titled song 'Heavenblack' sizzles with energy and a hustling, bustling nature to slam everyone to the floor, the lead in to the chorus break and the chorus itself a massively melodious journey that's gonna plant smiles a mile wide on the faces of every listener, fan and follower. The band haven't really hit top gear yet, the album feels like it's driving on a motorway at sixty miles an hour when the limit's seventy - you know you can push forward that little bit extra but feel more comfortable staying exactly where you are! There's also a huge nineties hard rock feel here, 'On My Skin' picking up the tempo, only to drop it just as quick - Heavenblack displaying progressive metal and rock leanings too! Boy their fanbase is gonna be very wide...    
             
...and maybe a little confused as well! Just which side of the fence do the Greeks sit on, metal, rock, Grunge, alternative or progressive - it's likely all of them to be fair! And at over six minutes in length, 'Orphan' is the longest song on offer and oozes a little groove metal swagger as well as the bands myriad of other styles, Heavenblack maintaining their lengthy, and meandering exploration of metal and rock territory! The band basically leave no stone unturned in regards to finding new styles to bamboozle and bewilder listeners with - listeners who still have their attentions tightly held by 'Blindfolded', the album too varied to put down just in case you miss something. So I would say, 'Blindfolded' needs more than only the one listen to fully comprehend what the band have achieved here, but before you listen again there's still two more songs to come - the first of which 'Clowns', buzzes like a swarm of bees in full flight, the bands more abrasive side resurfacing once more. 'Blindfolded' is brought to a close with the title song 'Blindfolded', and one more opportunity for the band to show you just how varied their blend of metal music is. And if you like your music with a tonne of variation to keep you guessing as to which direction it's gonna turn in next, Heavenblack is the band for you.    
             
Overall, an album of varying metal and rock styles to keep you engaged from start to finish, 'Blindfolded' is an intriguing listen.    
             
             
Review by Iron Mathew Collins    
             
Reviewed for Metal Gods TV    
             
             
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