REVIEW: Calyces - Fleshy Waves Of Probability

After five years, Calyces are taking the metal scene by storm with their third album, Fleshy Waves of Probability. The progressive post-metal band hails from Athens in Greece was founded by the vocalist and guitarist Mathios Stergiou in 2018. Joined by the drummer Alexis Stavropoulos, guitarist Giannis Golfis and bassist Stelios Tragos, the band debuted in 2020 with their album Impulse to Soar, and with their latest release have delivered us eight melodic and original tracks that are centred around the themes of hardships, oppression, creativity and freedom.

Taking us through their new tracks such as ‘Swirling Towards the Light’, ‘Lost in Phrase’ and ‘Lethargy’, the band keeps showcasing the variety of their skills. From the beginning of the first song on the album, ‘Swirling Towards the Light’, the energy is kept high, engaging us with catchy riffs and melodies, that are carried through the second song, ‘Boneshatter’, as well. On the other hand, ‘Lost in Phrase’ starts off slowly with acoustic guitar, just to switch into drums and electric guitar, giving us the 90’s and 00’s riffs and bridges, that are typical for the band. Paired up with Stergiou’s strong vocals, the song picks up very quickly, leaving us with a well-balanced melody, where none of the components feels too much.

‘Lethargy’, the last track on the album, is quite distinct from the rest, as it starts with precise guitar work and soft vocals. Transitioning into a melody carried equally by guitar and drums, the song is becoming more prominent. And as we feel like we have heard all the variations of the music, the bridge suddenly comes into play, being led by hauntingly beautiful violin, that fits gracefully with the harsh sound of progressive metal. Until the last second of the track, we can recognise the unmatched talents of Stavropolous, Golfis and Tragos, who are carrying the sound on their backs.

With eight tracks on one album and no noticeable transitions between the songs, the listeners certainly can feel like there is not much space to comprehend the sounds and songs, that are taking place, and they might have a feeling that they were excluded from the whole experience. With some songs having similar melodies and tempos, one might think of certain songs as repetitive, such as ‘Voices in the Gray’ and ‘Flowing Through Storm’, or the previously mentioned ‘Swirling Towards the Light’ and ‘Boneshatter’. Staying true to the well-known formula of late 90s has its perks such as familiarity, but unfortunately often comes with the price of repetition, that can make some listeners skip over some tracks.

Nonetheless, the work that went into Fleshy Waves of Probability is heard from the first note, as the band recorded various elements of the songs in different studios, assuring a thrilling outcome when pieced together. With the tracks touching the topics of adaptation to a new world and its hardships and freedom, the band continues with the theme of rebirth they set for themselves with their debut album. As much as the topic and the genre suit the band, the repetitive melodies did make us feel a bit lost in the music, somewhat making us little confused about the tracks, and at times feel like the melodies keep on dragging.

However, the album is still a well-made piece that matches the talent of the band members. The last track, ‘Lethargy’, is a great example of balanced melody, fusing together instruments and vocals, while gradually adding intensity. The overall listening experience is pleasant, giving us a few “wow” moments. A good example of progressive metal, that stays true to its nature but tries to experiment with sounds.

Score: 7/10

Fleshy Waves of Probability was self-released on March 21st 2025.

Words: Katerina Stepanikova

Photos: Calyces