Introducing: Distorted Reflection

Doom rules as three titans of the Greek metal world join forces in the new band Distorted Reflection, who summarise their approach as “heavy, doom, epic.”

The band started out when guitarist Kostas Salomidis departed his former band Sorrows Path, one of Greece’s best-known metal bands, ahead of their fifth album in August 2022. But Kostas didn’t hang around, teaming up with bassist Vangelis Yalamas and drummer Stelios Pavlou and taking on vocal duties for the first time. The trio set about working on their debut album Doom Rules Eternally at Fragile Studio, and it was released in February on German Iron Shield Records.

And on the sound they’ve honed, Kostas told us: “Modern yet traditional Epic Doom Metal with unique influences from traditional Greek music. Perhaps this is an appropriate label for the band’s music, although we don’t particularly like them.”

Doom Rules Eternally delivers exactly what it says on the tin, a healthy dose of doomy, rocky goodness. It opens up with a dramatic intro to Mr. Snake, which feeds into engaging vocals supported by a cool chugging riff before a powerful chorus. Check it out in the lyric video:

That’s followed by a personal favourite track Ring Of Fire, which opens up with a big facemelter riff that continues under engaging vocals. it continues into a deliciously gothic chorus with the vocal melody mimicked by the guitar and some backing vocals adding to the atmosphere. A second chorus gives way to a cool little riff that continues under a couple of guitar solos, before the chorus returns to bring the track to a dramatic conclusion.

Expect plenty more heavy riffing and catchy vocal melodies in tracks like Colours, the dramatic Dark Mermaid, Twilight Zone and Ghosts of Mind. There’s also Cassandra, which starts in a more sombre fashion before gradually building pace toward a wild guitar solo. You can check out in the video here:

And the album rounds out in style with The Eternal Gate, which also starts slowly with dramatic laid-back guitars. A cool plodding riff comes in alongside engaging vocals in an atmospheric opening verse, before a cool little instrumental section. The pace builds into a delicious sweeping guitar solo, which drops into fun choral vocals alongside a chugging guitar riff to set up a powerful outro. Check it out in the video here:

On the album, Kostas explained: “We are really excited about the new album. The pre-orders went fine and the first feedback about reviews and airplay is much more and better than expected. Our doom sisters and brothers must wait that we continued to follow the doom path but even more heavy and unique. We also truly believe that the songs are catchy without betraying our metal and doom roots.

Distorted Reflection sees the band’s members, who are all approaching the ripe age of 50, merge their influences into an approach they wouldn’t like to extend beyond “epic heavy doom.” And Kostas explains: “Of course, there are also musical influences from genres other than metal, especially from Greek and oriental sounds.”

And on what inspires them to write music, he adds: “Doom Philosophy. Without having a specific lyrical concept, the topics are about morality, respect, dignity, passion and, of course, all of these connected to the father and master of us all, death, as the title of the album also indicates.”

Distorted Reflection intend to keep a pretty low profile, which means you won’t see them perform live or give any video or audio interviews. So I guess we got a little lucky getting them involved in this at all!

But Kostas adds: “This band came to stay, so we hope that many metalheads will accept our vision and we will enter the studio next year to record the sophomore album. I would like to add that the album is also featuring three important special guests. The awesome vocalist Nicholas Leptos, who did the whole vocal work on the opening song Mr. Snake and also two guitarists. The mighty Ross The Boss, who performed a solo on Cassandra and the legendary Greek rock guitarist Giannis Drolaps, who offered some great leads on The Eternal Gate.”

You can follow Distorted Reflection on Facebook and check out their music on Spotify, Bandcamp and YouTube.