'Heliopolis' is the only Apophis album I've managed to find. This German dark metal band sung about ancient Egypt before Nile made it "trendy". I saw this one sold at very cheap price, making me think; did they really think metalheads would buy an album with pink cover art?!?! Thanks to the internet it was possible to check out how Apophis sound. Don't remember where I found a sample from 'Heliopolis', not on Morbid Records site anyways.

"Dramatic" soundtrackish intro opens the album, surprisingly not sounding Egyptian. Best song 'Choirs of Bitterness' launches into mid-paced, quite simplistic death metal of the yore, and only thing I really can compare 'Heliopolis' is Hypocrisy's 'The Fourth Dimension' (1994), with some Amon Amarth-ish melodiousness binded into it. Clean-sounding, yet heavy, with doomy movements and atmospheric passages thrown in for nice spice, but not Nordic. Faster, more brutal deathy songs tend to lack of atmospheric parts understandably. Many of the vocal parts sound a bit bland, thanks to samey hoarse and powerless barking growl, plus lyrics/vocals lining sucks. Atmospheric parts, eg. synths and non-distorted guitars, and well composed solos are like sunshine over grey matter. I find 'Heliopolis' plodding at times, causing the album to be unlistenable at one sitting. However, random play seemed to help somewhat, lengthening the lifespan a bit. Apophis do not sound leaders, but followers, even though their style is quite an original mixture.

Apophis are nowhere near the most brutal sounds of death metal. Guitars are kind of soft yet metal, giving way to organic sounding bass and drums. Balancing is okay and whole soundscape very clear. Lyrical themes aren't only about Egyptian mythology, but also dreams and death, by the way. And that cover painting can be included to "classics", amongst, for example, Wolf and Manowar covers.

Apophis's 'Heliopolis' is above average, especially when thinking of them continuing playing the old school stuff. As mentioned, they weren't leaders, but followers in 1998. Potential material, but still lacking of vitality.

Rating: 6 (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Lane
02/26/2005 21:19