Year: 2020
Total Time: 46:22
Label: Debemur Morti Productions
One of the branches of metal that has proven to be very receptive to experimentation is that of Black Metal. We have seen it in its most symphonic moments, the most authentic, the most epic but also the most atmospheric. The atmosphere is of course intertwined with the genre in its entire range but eventually it can become even more intense.
AKHLYS is an American band from Colorado, USA. Behind this one-man band, we find Naas Alcameth, a very talented and fast-rising artist in the Black Metal genre, known not only for AKHLYS but also for NIGHTBRINGER, BESTIA ARCANA and AORATOS. In their first record attempt, “Supplication”, its direction was purely Ambient. Very atmospheric, but without too many Black elements. In 2015 they released their second album “The Dreaming I”, which was really an impressive, Avant-Garde / Black Metal masterpiece.
This year, they returned to the discography with their new work, “Melinoë”. The album consists of five songs and like its predecessor, it grabs your interest from the first minute, so strongly that in the last you just want to press repeat and enjoy the journey again. A journey full of mystery, chaotic atmospheres and sounds, vocals that seem to come out of the singer’s own pain.
It is one of these albums but also bands at the same time, that if you get to know them, in the end you end up obsessively dealing with them because what they offer you. On the one hand you do not realize it at the first listening, on the other hand they are so special and different that stand out thanks to this peculiarity.
If you deal with “Melinoë” and AKHLYS in general, you will definitely not regret the time you will dedicate. If the style of music you prefer is close to what they offer you, you will definitely stick with them. If you have nothing to do with such an atmospheric and confusing musical space and give them a chance, you may discover aspects of yourself that you were unaware of.
Rating: 8/10
Editor: Fanouris Exintavelonis
Related Link: AKHLYS – Bandcamp Page
