These days combinations of instrumentation from your homeland next to normal metal implements can create some unique styles. Such is the case for Greek folk/heavy metal act Passengers In Panic – active since 2019, they released their debut self-titled album in late 2020 – touring across Greece, the Czech Republic, and Romania when the borders opened while working on material for the follow-up release. Amnesia represents more of a straightforward, less progressive effort yet still incorporates a lot of distinctly traditional Greek instruments to intoxicate the listener in this exotic, folk-oriented heavy metal platform. The Macedonian gainda, the kaval, the laouto, the violin, and the daouli all appear to create broader strokes of atmosphere next to the electric / natural metal tools of expression.
The foundation of the band’s songwriting balances out aspects of The Gathering, Orphaned Land, and Eluveitie next to solid traditional mechanics – the finesse and melodic nature to an act like Iron Maiden or the occasional heavier measures in domestic band Septicflesh names that come to mind. The serene, vast vocabulary in note choices, multi-octave voicing, as well as styles under her collective umbrella push singer Ioanna Galani into heights rarely heard. Exotic, progressive-tinged folkish elements taking “2321” to superior Anneke / The Gathering landscapes, while the mid-tempo, guitar harmony fueled title track showcases more of her emotive depth where she holds out many melodies in this ever-flowing stream of beauty.
Soothing nature-like aural landscapes soon give chase to another electric / Greek instrument symbiosis on “Erase Me” – a back half highlight that contains a catchy main musical underpinning, more stellar vocal melodies, plus interesting tempo changes/ transitions and a heroic lead break / instrumental sequence to keep interest throughout it’s almost eight-minute arrangement. Occasional music interplay sequences serve up fever pitch intense movements – check into the ending of “Siren’s Call” for some folk power metal gallops and speedier virtuoso parts that will elevate ears. Many will also enjoy the elegant chord choices and engaging lead breaks from guitarist Lela Argyri – not always going for the fastest, virtuoso-oriented speed picking, but instead taking a careful approach where each note makes sense in the context of the individual’s song and its needs.
Additional contributors include Greek actor Yiannis Tsortekis for singing/narration on “Kaixas” (a Greek traditional folk song cover) plus “Erase Me” as well as Septicflesh’s Christos Antoniou for strings/orchestration on “How to Breathe”. Passengers In Panic are a four-piece that aligns to a sound that touches the heart and soul of traditional metal with progressive, power, and strong folk components on Amnesia. Invest in this buzzworthy band – it’s not often acts like this burst upon the scene.