'So for those who have never heard of Neaera (including myself until this CD arrived), they formed in the summer of 2003, when Tobias Buck (the guitarist with death/grind band Malzan) formed a side project in order to pursue his interest in hardcore and Swedish death metal. The original line-up, consisting of Buck, Sebastian Heldt (drums), Benny Hilleke (vocals), and Benjamin Donath (bass), was quickly assembled and the used the name The Ninth Gate, until changing it in 2004.

The idea behind the bands current name, Neaera, is that of a character from Greek mythology, a woman who was sold into sexual slavery, being proscribed, oppressed and exploited all her life. This woman was called Neaera. 

Originally I thought these guys may have been a fairly new band signed to metal blade but they have been round for a good 4 years and “Armamentarium” is the group’s third album.

Listening to opening track “Spearheading The Spawn”, you can hear how Buck’s influences have shaped the sound. Mixing together the sounds of German hardcore mob Caliban, with the death metal styles of Arch Enemy and adding a bit of Cradle of Filth into the mix, it makes a cracking combo! 

Standouts on the album are the brutal “Tools Of Greed”, the excellent “Escape From Escapism” and the riff fuelled “Mutiny Of Untamed Minds”. 

Though they may seem like the new kids on the block, Neaera certainly have what it takes to go global and with the backing of Metal Blade Records, I’m sure they will!

Let us know your views on Armamentarium

Track Listing

Spearheading The Spawn
Tools Of Greed
Armamentarium
Synergy
Harbinger
In Loss
The Orphaning
The Escape From Escapism
Mutiny Of Untamed Minds
The Need For Pain
Liberation

Line Up

Benny Hilleke - Vocals
Tobias Buck - Guitars
Stefan Keller - Guitars
Benjamin Donath - Bass
Sebastian Heldt - Drums