FIRTAN – Helios

The short intro 'Himsa' opens the album with beautifully ambient sounds, as howling wind and distant church bells immediately create an eerie sense of space. Slowly, delicate violin tones begin to drift into the mix, adding a melancholic edge and deepening the atmosphere. Brief but remarkably effective, 'Himsa' feels less like a conventional song and more like the first step into whatever Helios has waiting for us. 

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'Kalikas Tongue' stands as the first full song, flowing almost seamlessly out of 'Himsa' as the howling wind returns beneath ominous guitars. Thunderous drums erupt almost immediately, followed without warning by deep, growling vocals. Clean singing sits further back in the composition beneath a veil of reverb, while tender violin adds a fragile contrast to the aggression and a subtle bass line holds everything together. The real impact, however, comes towards the end, when increasingly painful screams tear through the atmosphere, a genuinely haunting way to complete the album’s first full attack.

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Next up is 'Solis Currus', building tension through big, opulent melodies that immediately create the feeling that something is about to happen. Primal growls arrive without warning, while ghostly melodic textures linger behind the aggression. As the song progresses, an almost doom-like weight begins to creep into the composition, with increasingly sinister vocals pushing it towards something more ritualistic yet strangely sorrowful. The guitar and drum work are particularly impressive here, giving the track both power and depth as it moves deeper into the darkness.

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'Ascension' begins with a melody slowly creeping out of the background, carrying an immediate sense of uncertainty and fear before erupting into something slow, brooding and steadily moving forward. There is an almost hypnotic quality to the track, as though something is gradually trying to take control of your mind. Sinister, spat-out vocals hover above hammering drums, hard riffs and a hypnotic bass line, interrupted by calmer passages of chant-like voices. The bridge offers another brief chance to catch your breath through eerie textures and ritualistic chanting, but even in these quieter moments, the sense of unease never truly disappears.

The title track 'Helios' is a real standout, opening with angelic choir vocals and clean guitars that create an almost weightless sense of peace. But stop, we know this album by now. Within seconds, distorted guitars and dark screams tear through the calm, while creative riffs begin to take on an almost narrative role. The bass is noticeably more prominent here, working beautifully alongside the expressive violin and giving the composition additional depth. As 'Helios' progresses, the atmosphere grows increasingly dark, yet the chanting and melodic elements never disappear completely. It is exactly that constant pull between light and darkness that makes the title track so compelling.

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After the short atmospheric interlude 'Revealing Prana', 'The Hierophant Way' launches forward with demanding drums, fast instrumentation and some excellent songwriting. At nearly twelve minutes, it is the longest track on the album, but FIRTAN fills that time with plenty to explore. I particularly enjoy the more prominent bass, but what really stands out is how naturally the instrumentation is shaped around the vocals. Nothing fights for attention; instead, every element works together. A brief spoken-word section just before the midpoint adds another layer of depth as the composition continues to unfold in different directions.

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There is a lot happening in 'The Hierophant Way', and honestly, some of it you should simply discover for yourself. And then 'Helios' has one final surprise waiting: BATHORY’s ‘Man of Iron’. After being thoroughly impressed by FIRTAN’s own compositions, seeing this track on the album immediately put a smile on my face, and the execution doesn’t disappoint. Instead of simply copying the original, FIRTAN channels its emotion, atmosphere and sense of storytelling through their own musical identity, making the cover feel completely at home alongside the rest of the record. It is powerful, respectful and full of character, bringing 'Helios' to an end with a song that feels less like an addition to the tracklist and more like a final salute.

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With "Helios", FIRTAN creates an intense journey where aggression, atmosphere and emotion constantly collide. Thunderous drums, expressive violin, prominent bass and sinister vocals are woven into complex compositions, while ritualistic chants and haunting melodies give the album its distinctive character. It demands time and attention, but repeated listens reveal new details and hidden depths. Challenging, immersive and deeply rewarding, "Helios" is an album that pulls you into its world and gives you plenty of reasons to return.

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SCORE 9/10

REVIEWED BY SWAMPY