Friday, June 27, 2025

Reflection | The Battles I Have Won | Pitch Black Records

 

 Reflection is one of the oldest and most respected names in Greek heavy metal. Formed in the early 1990s and debuting officially with "The Fire Still Burns" in 1999, the band has remained a steadfast presence in the underground, committed to their brand of epic, doom-laden heavy metal. Their music draws from mythology, history, and traditional metal values, influenced by acts like Manowar, Iron Maiden, Omen, and Candlemass, yet with a Mediterranean character unique to their homeland. Founding guitarist Stathis Pavlantis and drummer Giorgos Pavlantis have been the driving force since the beginning, later joined by long-time bassist John Litinakis and, most recently, vocalist Kostas Tokas, who was previously a guest on "Bleed Babylon Bleed." After an eight-year silence, they return with "The Battles I Have Won," released via Pitch Black Records.

"The Battles I Have Won" arrives after nearly a decade of silence and feels like the result of years of introspection, patience, and artistic purpose. The album moves across traditional heavy metal, doom, and epic storytelling without relying on overly complex arrangements or overproduction. It’s straightforward, immersive, and sincerely crafted.

Opening with “Only The Swords Survive,” the album steps into battle with conviction, merging galloping riffs and steady rhythmic weight. The mood remains heavy but never stagnant, balancing grandeur with motion. The title track, “The Battles I Have Won,” carries a sense of struggle and pride without melodrama, with Kostas Tokas’s voice delivering with natural authority—neither exaggerated nor underwhelming. His tone fits the band’s direction without overshadowing it.

“Lord Of The Wind” and “Sirens’ Song” contrast in atmosphere—one charging ahead with soaring melodies, the other winding slowly through more restrained tempos and melodies tinged with melancholy. There’s a consistency to the guitar tone across the album—thick and warm, with enough bite to remain energetic without becoming abrasive. The drums, performed by Giorgos Pavlantis, are grounded and methodical, never overstepping into excess but keeping the flow alive with sharp timing.

Tracks like “Once Again (Crime In The Valley Of Death)” and “Celestial War” continue the lyrical journey through war, fate, and mythical imagery. The band doesn’t try to overcomplicate its themes, instead keeping the lyrics narrative-driven, often personal, without leaning into empty fantasy. The inclusion of orchestration by Kostas Rekleitis adds texture without crowding the mix, supporting rather than leading.

“March Of The Argonauts” and “Lady In The Water” offer a late-album lift—moody and adventurous, capturing both tension and melody. The final track, “City Walls Of Malta—The Great Siege,” is a fitting conclusion, combining solemn passages with more aggressive segments. It does not attempt to be overly climactic, instead staying in line with the tone of the rest of the album—steadfast and deliberate.

The production, handled by Stathis Pavlantis, allows space for each instrument without emphasizing gloss or volume. The sound is layered but never overwhelms. The artwork by Alexandros Vasilopoulos matches the musical themes—heroic, historical, and evocative without theatrics.

"The Battles I Have Won" doesn’t try to be grand for the sake of grandeur. It is honest in tone, heavy in spirit, and grounded in experience. It carries a timeless feel without sounding frozen in the past. Reflection delivers an album that rewards patient listening—unhurried, melodic, and steeped in conviction.

Score: 8.6

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