Thelemite | Powers Of Darkness | Sleaszy Rider SRL

 

 Thelemite is a Greek heavy metal band that draws its core inspiration from the melodic and powerful legacy of 1980s metal. Led by multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, and producer Yiannis Manopoulos, the band is composed of seasoned musicians with histories in bands like Spitfire, Blind Justice, Dark Nightmare, Heart Attack, Battleroar, and The Silent Wedding. Their style blends classic influences with a contemporary presentation, driven by structured songwriting, anthemic refrains, and a strong conceptual direction. Their previous album, "Survival Of The Fittest," helped solidify their status as a major player in the modern Hellenic metal scene.

"Powers Of Darkness" is Thelemite's fourth full-length studio release, and it arrives with a defined thematic axis and stylistic confidence. Inspired by the 1899 Swedish edition of Dracula titled "Mörkrets Makter," the album explores concepts of cult manipulation, social transformation, and esoteric mystery—all tied loosely to the gothic and philosophical undercurrents of the turn of the 20th century. This choice reflects a continuation from their previous work while widening the artistic scope.

The album presents a mix of melodic heavy metal and hard rock sensibilities with touches of progressive and symphonic arrangements. The compositions are built around strong rhythmic foundations, layered guitar parts, and a vocal delivery that maintains both theatricality and accessibility. There is a clear sense of arrangement discipline—songs remain concise and structured, focusing on hooks, sing-along choruses, and accessible transitions.

Yiannis Manopoulos’ vocal performance supports the narrative direction of the album while never overwhelming the instrumental space. His guitar work, paired with Zack Kotsikis, offers melodic leads, straightforward harmonies, and effective rhythmic interplay. The rhythm section, formed by Nikos Michalakakos on bass and Renos Lialioutis on drums, ensures momentum and depth across the ten tracks.

The production—handled in-house at ManoSound Studios—emphasizes clarity and evenness, neither too raw nor overly saturated. The mix places each instrument in a distinct space, allowing the vocals and melodic structures to lead while giving weight to the rhythm section.

Tracks like “Waiting For The Night” and “Renfield” have radio potential without sacrificing identity. Others, such as “Born In The Dark” and “God’s Madman”, explore slightly darker or more atmospheric territory. The album shifts comfortably between power ballads, upbeat metal cuts, and theatrical mid-tempo pieces, always keeping melody as the central element.

The artwork, created by Rodrigo Gudina of Core76 Studio, visually reflects the gothic and supernatural themes of the album. It supports the identity of the release without relying on genre stereotypes, depicting a Nosferatu-like figure emerging from fiery ruin, framed in infernal red and stone gray—matching the atmosphere the music builds.

"Powers Of Darkness" is a focused and confident release. It doesn’t overextend itself and maintains cohesion throughout. Thelemite demonstrates that thematic heavy metal can still feel sharp and structured without relying on nostalgia or genre excess.

Score: 8.0