A very important chapter of Greek epic metal history was written in Ptolemaida city back in the mid 80s: ANXIETY was formed in 1986 and split in 1994, they recorded lots of great music but never got the chance for a proper full release.
The band’s “Descent of the Myriads” demo that was released back in 2001 after the band’s split is considered as one of the most important releases in the Greek epic metal scene and their “Join the Army” song was surely one of the top moments on “Greece Attacks”, the first Greek heavy metal compilation that was released back in 1989.
Steel Gallery Records releases the “A Kingdom at War” anthology that features everything that the band has recorded through the years: Demo recordings from 1988, demo recordings from 1990, unreleased material from 1992, the “Descent of the Myriads” demo from 2001 plus all their recordings from 2018 to 2024.
ANXIETY delivers a very special combination of classic heavy metal and epic metal with traditional Greek music elements. Listening their recordings starting from the ones of the earlier years, someone begins to realize the big evolution that took part on the band’s sound: On the 80s recordings the material is mainly focused on the classic heavy metal vibe. On the 90s stuff the band begins to develop their music more extensively, adding more epic elements and Greek traditional references as well. The unreleased -until now- “Children of No God” song is a good example.
The above mentioned combination would be perfectly shaped on the “Descent of the Myriads” demo and the songs that the band released afterwards (2018-204). You just have to listen to their magnum opus “Constantinople (Istanbul Falls)” and realize the band’s overall musical vision.
Studying the band’s music someone can discover common elements with SARISSA, the well known epic metal band from Thessaloniki, Greece. Greek musical tradition and epic metal formulas are presented in a quite similar way in both bands. Sotiris Noukas have participated in both groups (drums and vocals on ANXIETY / vocals on SARISSA) and perhaps this participation played a role. At the end of the day it is interesting to examine the ways that bands from specific Greek locations, of a very close distance, were developing a very special epic metal sound, leaving enough room for the Greek music tradition. Newer bands -for example WAR DANCE- from Athens, Greece would follow similar paths.
Since 2024 Anxiety continues as an one-man band led by Stavros Kermeniotis, so hopefully we will be able to hear more ANXIETY stuff in the future. For now we can dive in the band’s history through this anthology, discovering their mighty epic sound.
Release date: 6th, June. Pre-order here.
