Album Review: Thumos – The Trial of Socrates (Snow Wolf Records / Fiadh Productions)

Thumos proudly presents The Trial of Socrates, a double album of 16 tracks lasting 109 minutes interpreting the life, trial and death of Socrates. Mastered by Neil Schneider and co-released by Snow Wolf Records (CD) and Fiadh Productions (cassette), the album is out on July 4th, 2025.

Impossibly grand, and not just because it’s nearly two hours long, The Trail of Socrates is a staggering achievement for a band that consistently hits the highest of highs. I have reviewed several albums and EPs of this band, and I’m still stunned by how good they are. Not only crafting rich, detailed, and immersive instrumental music that caters to fans of post rock, doom, metal, and so much more, but doing so in an incredibly artistic way. You might think you don’t need a 16-track double album about the life, trial and death of Socrates, but trust me, you do.

So, where to begin? Socrates is a name that most will be familiar with, even they don’t necessarily know why. Summing up his life, and importance, isn’t easy, but the simplest way to put it is that he was a Greek philosopher credited as the founder of Western philosophy who was put on trial and sentenced to death. A life less ordinary, Thumos were never going to struggle to find content to interpret, but to do so in electrifying and interesting fashion is what makes this band truly special, but what does that mean?

It’s music to ponder on, it’s music to that makes you feel, it’s music that is as dynamic as it is dramatic, and genre-bends in the most remarkable of ways. It’s far too easy, and lazy, to sum up this album as instrumental post, even if it can be a dominating feature. I’d dare to say that across its 16 tracks, Thumos experiment like they’ve never experimented before and with that, bring forth a brand-new level of intrigue and excitement to their sound. This is an album where the statement that you never know what is coming up next rings true. Aside from the assurance that it will spectacular.

It’s hard to pick out individual tracks, let alone take you on a step-by-step breakdown, as there’s so much to unpack here. Plus, you know, it’s a double album with 16 tracks and that is not something you digest in one, two, or even three sittings. However, I really want to talk about some of the album’s most spectacular moments, so buckle up.

Atmosphere, with a disconcerting touch, and dominated by Thumos’ heavy power, The Parmenides is a scene-setting opener. Whereas The Gorgias is an urgent, almost tense, display that has the instruments sounding like they’re in an intense discussion. Which, cooly, reflects the subject matter as it’s based around a conversation between Socrates and a group at a dinner.

Then there is the might of The Phaedrus, the progressive energy and wildness of The Theaetetus, the gazey giant that is The Cratylus, Thumos showing (again) how words can be expressed without being spoken, and the hypnotic, eerie melody that makes up The Philosopher. Each track is so unique, but this is just a snapshot of what they, and the album, offers. The more you listen, the more time spent with it, the more it takes hold, and while it is an exhausting listen, it never stops satisfying.

Do you know what I don’t talk about enough with this band though? How they’ve educated me over the years and how this album sent me spiralling down a rabbit hole of knowledge. You don’t just get to experience detailed, dynamic, and dramatic rock and metal with Thumos, you learn as well, and this album is one hell of a teacher.

I also don’t talk enough about how heavy they can be. Sure, it’s not a focal point of the band, but when they unleash a cacophony of noise, it is notable. Case in point, The Apology, an unbelievably brilliant track that is pure peaks and valleys, with some of the noisiest moments of the record. Alongside some of the most expressive moments of beauty too. It is my personal favourite track on the album.

Don’t let that fool you into thinking the latter part doesn’t have spectacular tracks too. Not when The Crito delivers a frenzied lesson in justice, dealing with Socrates imprisonment, not when haunting darkness clouds the mind via The Phædo, as Socrates final moments are showcased, and not when The Menexenus ends things in such tearful fashion.

Is The Trail of Socrates the best thing Thumos has done? It’s certainly the grandest, and certainly one of the most immersive, but I’ll let you decide for yourself. I promise you this though, it’s an unforgettable experience. Give it the time it needs and deserves.

Thumos – The Trial of Socrates Track Listing:

1. The Parmenides
2. The Protagoras
3. The Gorgias
4. The Phaedrus
5. The Meno
6. The Theaetetus
7. The Euthyphro
8. The Cratylus
9. The Sophist
10. The Statesman
11. The Philosopher
12. The Apology
13. The Philebus
14. The Crito
15. The Phædo
16. The Menexenus

Links

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