Year: 2020
Total Time: 53:43
Label: Agonia Records
ACHERONTAS is perhaps one of the most underrated bands of the Greek Black Metal scene! Its professionalism but also this unique and personal sound, even if it is well appreciated abroad, unfortunately, this does not happen in our country. A band that has been working hard since the beginning of its career, earning respect and recognition for its value, while managing to offer fans quality releases every year (album or live album or EP or split). This year they return with the eighth album of their career entitled “Psychic Death – The Shattering of Perceptions” to haunt us again with their amazing ritual Black Metal.
The album starts powerfully with the first two songs (“Paradigms of Nyx” and “Kiss the Blood”), being aggressive within the characteristic melodies that ACHERONTAS present and the constant changes of ideas within the compositions. The album continues in the same pattern, with Black Metal being the driving force dressed in a dark ritual atmosphere of esotericism and the compositions have their own individual personality. The guitar work that has been done is excellent and many will notice the influences by IRON MAIDEN (as in some melodies) and the Heavy Rock of the ‘70s (PINK FLOYD) which are ideally integrated in ACHERONTAS’s soundscape externalizing a magical harmony and energy.
V. Priest’s voice style reflects the same contrast between harsh and melodic vocals as we have heard in their previous albums which, combined with the excellent production by George Emmanuel, allow his voice to take off. The vocals vary between screams, whispered voices and chants, significantly enhancing the whole atmosphere (clearly influenced by V. Priest’s other project, SHIBALBA), something you can easily understand by listening to the title track. Each of these eight songs is a monolithic and powerful theme by itself but also as a cohesive aggregate, proving us an incredibly gripping album.
The new album, apart from being one of the best that ACHERONTAS has released in their career so far, is probably the most introverted. A special lyrical and musical album that invites you to immerse yourself in its enchanting darkness and mysterious atmosphere. “Psychic Death – The Shattering of Perceptions” is not just another Black Metal album but a vehicle that will take you on a mystical path and its music is the perfect soundtrack you are looking for at night to immerse yourself in an initiation of ritual and purification.
Rating: 8/10
Editor: Nikos Manousis
Related Link: ACHERONTAS – Facebook Page
