These Greek warriors will shatter the silence once again by the sound of thunder as their fifth studio album comes galloping out of the darkness, a paradise for those whose hearts still burn with the flame of Heavy Metal.
Eight years after the release of Bleed Babylon Bleed, Athens, Greece-based Epic Heavy Metal veterans Reflection will shatter the silence once again by the sound of thunder as The Battles I Have Won, their fifth studio album, comes galloping out of the darkness. Recorded, mixed and mastered at Dark Water Audio, produced by Stathis Pavlantis at Music House Studio, and showcasing a ruthless and fierce warrior in the artwork by Alexander Vasilopoulos, the new opus by vocalist Kostas Tokas, guitarist Stathis Pavlantis, bassist John Litinakis, and drummer Giorgos Pavlantis, with additional orchestrations by guest Kostas Rekleitis, is a must-listen for fans of Iron Maiden, Manowar, Doomsword, and Omen, where every song is a highlight in its own right. Put differently, The Battles I Have Won is a paradise for those whose hearts still burn with the flame of Heavy Metal.
Stathis begins shredding his axe in the name of Epic Heavy Metal in Only the Swords Survive, a fast and furious tune where Kostas leads his horde with his soaring vocals; and Giogos hammers his drums in the best Manowar style in The Battles I Have Won, consequently inspiring us all to head into the battlefield alongside those Greek warriors. Lord of the Wind is another song with a strong Manowar vibe, with John and Giorgos building a striking galloping rhythm, offering Kostas all he needs to shine on vocals, whereas Sirens’ Song is an even more cinematic and imposing creation by the quartet where the additional orchestrations by guest Kostas Rekleitis bring an extra dosage of epicness to their already powerful Heavy Metal, followed by Once Again (Crime in the Valley of Death), carrying a poetic name for a thrilling fusion of Heavy and Power Metal led by Stathis’ piercing riffs.
Celestial War sounds and feels a bit generic compared to the rest of the album, although Kostas still showcases a solid performance on vocals supported by the hammering drums by Giorgos; and back to a more exciting and visceral mode, March of the Argonauts is a lecture in Power Metal where all bands members are on absolute fire, in special Stathis armed with his scorching riffs. Then offering their most melodious side, the band fires the Melodic Heavy Metal feast entitled Lady in the Water, with Stathis once again delivering sheer electricity through his axe accompanied by the rumbling bass by John. And last but not least, it’s time for the epic City Walls of Malta – The Great Siege to conclude the album on a thunderous mode, with Kostas declaiming the song’s dark words in great fashion.
True legends of the Greek Heavy Metal scene, Reflection carefully added tons of depth and atmosphere to each tale as The Battles I Have Won unfolds, sounding absolutely warm and richly textured, vibrant, vital and alive. Needless to say, The Battles I Have Won will surely come to be regarded as Reflection’s finest album to date, and you can become part of their history by purchasing a copy of the album from the Pitch Black Records’ BandCamp or webstore (as a CD, an LP, or a CD + LP bundle), as well as from Vinylstore.gr (also as a CD or an LP). Don’t forget to also give those Greek warriors a shout on Facebook, fighting side by side with them in the battlefield in the name of our beloved Heavy Metal, because they might have won many battles, but they’re ready for more armed with their undisputed new album.
Best moments of the album: The Battles I Have Won, Sirens’ Song and March of the Argonauts.
Worst moments of the album: Celestial War.
Released in 2025 Pitch Black Records
Track listing
1. Only the Swords Survive 3:56
2. The Battles I Have Won 4:17
3. Lord of the Wind 4:51
4. Sirens’ Song 4:42
5. Once Again (Crime in the Valley of Death) 5:30
6. Celestial War 4:45
7. March of the Argonauts 5:05
8. Lady in the Water 5:16
9. City Walls of Malta – The Great Siege 4:44
Band members
Kostas Tokas – vocals
Stathis Pavlantis – guitars
John Litinakis – bass
Giorgos Pavlantis – drums
Guest musician
Kostas Rekleitis – additional orchestrations, string and choir arrangements