Black Path | Of Paint And Ash | Independent

 

 Black Path is a Greek death metal duo formed by Kostas Mexis (vocals, bass) and Ioannis Kaneris (guitars). Rooted in a vision of emotionally driven, modern extreme metal, the band has steadily built a distinct identity through dense songwriting and a refusal to compromise atmosphere for familiarity. After their earlier works established a base of support in the underground, their second full-length, "Of Paint And Ash," marks an ambitious evolution. The album features several guest collaborators and instrumental flourishes that expand the band’s sonic range while remaining tethered to death metal’s weight and emotional intensity.

"Of Paint And Ash" consists of nine tracks, all composed or co-composed by Mexis and Kaneris, and explores states of inner conflict, loss, persistence, and human emotional repetition. The lyrics—largely penned by Mexis—evoke imagery and atmosphere inspired by dark fantasy, psychological trauma, and endurance, drawing structural influence from the symbolic and metaphor-rich world of “Dark Souls”.

"Of Paint And Ash" is an ominous, layered album that avoids superficial gestures in favor of persistent atmosphere and pacing. Its sound is cold, architectural, and methodically constructed. The music revolves around tightly wound riffs, bass that adds force without flooding the mix, and a rhythmic structure that opts for flow over sudden disruption. Ioannis Kaneris’ guitar work doesn’t rely on spectacle; it serves the shape of the arrangements and threads carefully through the bleak thematic contours.

One of the strengths of "Of Paint And Ash" is its refusal to settle into predictable extremes. Rather than leaning fully into old-school aggression or modern technicality, Black Path appears committed to mood, restraint, and a textured approach to heaviness. The result is an album that moves forward deliberately, willing to explore sonic space without sacrificing intensity. Kostas Mexis' vocal tone is controlled and restrained in a way that resists theatricality. Instead, his delivery feels rooted in internal tension, matching the emotional thrust behind the lyrics, which carry a clear sense of fatigue, distance, and confrontation with abstract suffering.

What makes "Of Paint And Ash" notable is its use of additional textures without falling into excess. The guest instrumentation—cellos, saxophone, mandolin, harp, and analog keys—never becomes decorative. These elements feel lived-in, placed with intention. Tracks like "Izalith" and "Evermore" benefit from these textures not as ornamentation, but as structural elements shaping the mood and pacing.

Rather than lean toward spectacle, Black Path seems to write as if each track were a continuation of a dialogue already in progress. This lends the album a sense of cohesion that doesn't require conceptual framing. The transitions between tracks feel natural, not forced into false climaxes or imposed dynamic shifts.

Production-wise, the album is grounded. It doesn’t aim for sheen or density for its own sake. There’s space in the mix, and despite the presence of layered elements, everything is held in equilibrium. This gives the record a worn, raw edge that complements its emotional depth.

The vocal contributions from Kiara Konstantinou, Iren Engel, and others help expand the album’s emotional palette but never upstage the foundational tone set by the core duo. Even when melodic or cleaner moments appear, they are absorbed into the broader language of the album rather than forming a contrast for contrast’s sake.

"Of Paint And Ash" does not concern itself with immediacy. It is not interested in standing out through hooks or stylistic gestures. Instead, it operates like a slow descent—each song revealing layers of thought, fatigue, and fragile resilience.

Score: 8.2