Cyprus-based project Occult Kenji stands at an intersection between mythology, history, and heavy metal. Its latest chapter, Of Gods and Ancestors, pulls listeners deep into the Bronze Age—where ritual, sacrifice, and memory intertwine with dense atmosphere and layered instrumentation. The result is a record built for fans of storytelling metal: sweeping in scope, deliberate in tone, and unapologetically ambitious.

The project began in 2018 as the personal vision of Marios Michaelides, known for his work with Daggr and MethysOs. Following the hiatus of his earlier band, Michaelides channeled his interest in ancient history and Mediterranean lore into something both introspective and grand. Though he remains the creative nucleus, Occult Kenji has grown through collaboration with select session musicians, including Hugo Ribeiro (Moonspell) on drums and Alex Michaelsson (Daggr) on backing vocals.

“This did indeed begin as a one-man project, and for the most part, it still is,” says Michaelides. “I’ve realized that music is something much greater than my lone self, and I’d do it injustice to deny the input of other great musicians. Producer Kyriakos Herodotou’s creative feedback was immense on the final outcome.”

Across previous EPs—Drunkard Chronicles (2022) and Eis Mnemen (2023)—Occult Kenji established a fascination with myth and mortality. The forthcoming album expands that vision: seven tracks mapping the emotional terrain of the Eastern Mediterranean’s forgotten gods and civilizations. It is less a call to battle than a descent into memory. Metal here serves as a vessel for storytelling rather than aggression.

“The result was completely natural,” Michaelides notes. “I try not to bind myself by genre labels. Because of this, I sometimes have trouble categorizing my own music—but I’m happy that many of the elements I enjoy as a listener have found their way into Occult Kenji.”

That openness gives Of Gods and Ancestors its unusual shape. Songs like Cult of the Great White Bull and Apollo’s Cup drift between clean, mournful passages and sudden walls of sound. The production favors atmosphere over force; its blend of clean and harsh vocals invites patience rather than immediacy. This approach may puzzle listeners expecting the chest-beating bravado of traditional epic metal, but those drawn to introspective, myth-laden soundscapes will find a wealth of detail.

“My music has always been about exploring myths and legends,” Michaelides adds. “With this album I brought that enthusiasm closer to home, focusing on the history and pre-history of the Eastern Mediterranean. The late Bronze Age is rough and raw, yet advanced and full of imagination. It leaves room to glue the scattered pieces together.”

For fans of Bathory’s Viking-era atmosphere or the story-driven epics of Atlantean Kodex, Occult Kenji’s latest effort may appeal as a quieter, more reflective cousin—less war cry, more ritual.

Of Gods and Ancestors releases October 7 via Thalassocracy Records, produced by Kyriakos Herodotou and mastered by Grant Berry. Whether you hear it as mythic history or poetic introspection, it stands as a thoughtful entry in the ever-expanding realm of epic metal.

Pre-order Of Gods and Ancestors here at Bandcamp

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