Acherontas – Psychic Death – The Shattering Of Perceptions

Label: Agonia Records
Releasedate: 26-06-2020

Acherontas is a Greek black metal band, founded by V. Priest in 1996. They are considered as one of the leading representatives of the New Wave of Greek Black Metal, heavily influenced by the original Hellenic metal scene, retro rock (especially the 70’s rock) and eastern philosophy. The latest and the eighth full-length Psychic Death – The Shattering of Perceptions, originally planned to be released on 24th April, will be released on 26th of June via Agonia Records.

With this new release, Acherontas break their limits, go beyond and deliver us the perfect complexity and diversity in their well-acknowledged black metal sound; there are the occult elements, the sinister atmosphere and of course the Greek black metal essence, forming the solid foundations of this album. The songs will lure you in and you will get curious about the themes (in particular if you are into the occult or the spiritual themes in general). Combined altogether, these aspects make Acherontas stand out from the others in this genre. No wonder why these guys are successful and unique in this scene; they are not afraid to go beyond and they do this with pure dedication and a clear vision all these years.

Soundwise, this release offers not only the black metal sound but a touch of death metal is also present (which is not unusual in albums like these). We get to hear a rather ‘progressive’ approach with the melodic arrangements, aggressive vocals and fantastic drumming. The Brazen Experimentalist and Coiled Splendor are great examples depicting these arrangements and the complexity of this album; the songs starting slowly but building up to reach a peak, getting faster and thus bring in different atmospheres within the songs. In this context, the album is not dull or does not consist of one tempo as the overall rhythm is changing constantly, presenting this dynamic sound. I also liked the fact that the album feels like a cycle and tells a story (or stories).

Psychic Death – The Shattering of Perceptions might be one of the most impressive black metal albums I have listened to in a while. It is spiritual, diverse, and captivating with each song. It seriously cannot get better than this. Highly recommended to the fans of black metal, the occult and the darkness. Get it and devour it!

Line up:

• Acherontas V.Priest – vocals, guitars
• Saevus H. – guitars
• Hierophant – bass
• Indra – guitars
• Dothur – drums  

Tracklist
01. Paradigms of Nyx
02. Kiss the Blood
03. The Brazen Experimentalist
04. Psychic Death “The Shattering of Perceptions”
05. Coiled Splendor
06. The Offering of Hemlock
07. Sermons of the Psyche
08. Μαγεια των καθρεφτων (Magick of Mirrors) 

Links:

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