IGNEA

The Realms Of Fire And Death SELF-RELEASED

Ethnically infused Ukrainian metallers hone their craft

Ignea’s The Sign Of Faith

saw the Ukrainian fivepiece embracing their heritage using a plethora of traditional instruments alongside Arabian-inspired melodies to create a mesmeric debut. Three years later, the band are continuing their sonic evolution by dipping their collective toes into conceptual waters, offering up a sophomore effort telling mythical tales of gods, ancient demons and symbolism for the modern-age listener.

The opening melodrama of Queen Dies’ Middle Eastern-tinged overture leads into the anthemic thunder of Out Of My

Head, replete with Helle Bogdanova’s enchanting cleans and poppy choruses. On the other hand, Too

Late To Be Born and Jinnslammer are the album’s more intriguing propositions, wedging electronic synths in between blastbeats, blackened growls and folk metal-inspired passages. An enticing – if not entirely earth-shattering – release that’s sure to tick those symphonic-loving boxes. ■■■■■■■■■■

FOR FANS OF: Nightwish, Delain, Kobra And The Lotus SOPHIE MAUGHAN