Acherontas help to form a phalanx of Greek black metal bands with a progressive purpose and a grim determination to expose us all to their black arts. Moving in the wake of ground-breaking countrymen Rotting Christ and Septicflesh, Acherontas forms part of a scene that over the years has developed into a creative force all of its own. The Greek black metal scene, it could be argued, bows to few others these days.
Perhaps it is not so unusual in the black metal underground, but Acherontas has produced a steady stream of splits, EPs and full-length releases since their formation in 2007 from the ashes of Stutthof. It’s the kind of output that would shame many bands used to a three year cycle of studio, touring and time-off to rekindle their creative flames. Barely taking a rancid breath in between their dark visions, Acherontas’ most recent effort, Amenti – Ψαλμοί Αίματος και Αστρικά Οράματα (which translates as Amenti – Psalms, Blood and Stellar Visions), is an album thick with atmosphere and ideas. At its heart, it is a more orthodox and austere reflection of black metal than some of its fellow countrymen. But it elevates that pursuit of orthodoxy by combining ambitious song structures with liberal use of ambient sounds to produce an experience that manages to be both challenging and immersive at the same time.
Acherontas is a group of individuals more than a band and built around main man Acherontas V.P.9, to give him his full title. They combine ritualism, incantation, black metal music with a landscape of dark, incense-bathed Eastern cities infested with spirits and black magic. Amenti is the band’s fourth full-length and continues the black-meets-ambient sound of previous missives while pouring on the ambition. Black metal music forms the bedrock of the sound veering from the well-above-average to downright diabolical (in a good way).
Gradually the band weaves its blood-soaked tapestry so, like all the best albums, things begin to form into something far beyond the sum of its parts. Eight minute tracks marshalled by precision drumming, keenly wrought tremolo riffs, varied vocal styles and pure black metal are layered with acoustic instruments and effects. It takes us on excursions through dark pathways, hidden temples and foetid chambers of screaming spirits. Drawing in various collaborators on everything from guest vocals and instruments to lyric writing (Shibalba’s Tiphareth writes most of the lyrics). Acherontas brings all the elements together into a glorious black whole that is as impressive in scope as it is no doubt dark in purpose. Drifting instrumental interludes are not for everyone. In fact, it’s the dichotomy between the straight-down-the-line traditionalism and a more liberal approach to the sound that is going to grind on fans of both types of music. But the key to unlocking Amenti is not to struggle against the sprawling passages but to give in to it and let the darkness consume you like the smoke from burning black lotus leaves.
While most bands flirting with a bit of ambient noise tend to shy away from putting it to its full and proper use, Acherontas uses it to mould their vision while staying well clear of any symphonic nonsense. Round about the fifth or sixth track the screaming black metal liturgy gradually merges with the non-metal sounds until the two become inseparable. The effect is enthralling and genuinely one that I think could win over black metal luddites who normally consider the use of expensive keyboards an affront to the dark one. Thou Art Lord, meets Melechesh on a night of invocation with Watain. Something like that. Buy it and then, if you haven’t already, buy their previous album Vamachara for good measure.
(8.5/10 Reverend Darkstanley)
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