Anthia – 'Gaslighter': An album with a powerful character

The Death Metal band from Germany released (15.09.2022) the album titled 'Gaslighter', a collection of tracks that manages to bridge death metal with progressive. 

A gorgeous predatory desert beetle unwittingly contributed its name to the creation of the outfit from Krefeld, Germany.

Anthia came together only at the end of 2019. It represents the personal biography of its mastermind, composer and guitarist Herman Rigmant, as well as of the musicians who lent their skills to the project: of Sergey Serg Baidikov (vocals) and of Sergey Serhio Karshev (bass).

The musical roots of Herman Rigmant go back to the '90s, when he was a member of the Latvians, Neglected Fields.

This outfit from a small country, which had only just regained its independence from the Soviet Union, gained recognition in the Europe of those days. Eventually, the band landed record deals with labels such as Eldethorn UK (from Neat Metal), Scarlet (IT) and Pony Canion (Japan). They played countless shows sharing the stage with excellent artists, such as Cannibal Corpse, Napalm Death, Dimmu Borgir, Destruction and Therion.

Herman became producer, manager and guitarist for the goth singer, Vic Anselmo

Together with her he released 2 albums and toured throughout Europe and China. In 2013 Herman moved to Krefeld (Germany) where he works as a sound engineer at the City Teather and also wrote music for various theatrical productions.

The album was created in a staggering era.

'Gaslighter' was created in an unprecedented period for the planet. Wars, revolutions, the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the members' everyday lives, deeply inspired the lyrics and music of the record.

'Gaslighter' is a kind of diary that gathers the members' personal and hidden thoughts on the aforementioned events. The idea that the solution to all the world's turmoil is very close at hand. At the same time, achieving that goal seems to grow ever more distant. Starting with the single and video for the track 'Anthia', we can see the messages the band conveys throughout the whole record.

Due to lockdown and the communication restrictions caused by COVID, the video was shot in Herman's small apartment in Krefeld. Except for the band scenes, which were shot outdoors.
The video is influenced by Franz Kafka's Metamorphosis. The plot of 'Anthia' concerns a man who is bewitched by predatory beetles and himself turns into an insect, ending up killing his girlfriend.

On the music

The record impresses from the very first listen. Starting off, the band is grounded in Death Metal, which they ultimately enrich with progressive elements. Pauses, tempo changes and plenty of different riffs and melodies compose a mosaic of sounds that will keep you constantly on edge. The trio masterfully manages to move between very soft melodic moments and, at other times, very intense ones, with brutal vocals. The complexity of Anthia's Anthia music is evident. Combined with the subject matter, the band delivers a thoroughly deep and dark album. 

Editor's Choice: 'Anthia'

The album is full of excellent tracks. At Fuzzy Hound however, we chose to highlight this particular one, as a song with elements that define the band. The first single of the record is also one of its biggest highlights. It moves from a gentle intro into very dynamic rhythms, while the vocals lend an even darker character. All of this to back up the very powerful story told in the lyrics.

'And nightfall is rising.
And arthropod is crawling.
His mandibles and chitin armor reflect the starlight Anthia! Anthia!

Shaped by eternity.
Chosen in jocosity.
My alter ego ain't he gorgeus? Anthia! Anthia!'

In conclusion

Anthia Anthia with this first full-length album make a powerful entrance into the Metal scene. Combining two different styles, they present compositions that win us over and, ultimately, leave us eager for what's to come.