Review: Athanatos – Tales from the Womb of Elsewhere

Review by Jeger

Athanatos – Tales from the Womb of Elsewhere

Record Label: Hellenic Metal World

Year: 2026

Rating: 9/10

Athanatos – to be immortal – a fool’s longing, for what to do with all the time? What is left to savor when every mortal ache has been quelled? Where to go when all has been seen? We are all going to die; faster than we realize. Thankfully, the Genre of Black Metal is an expansive one fit for the Human condition, custom tailored for the one who suffers the bite of this mortal coil. From within the heart of Greece emerges Athanatos and they’ve wrought through curses and ill fate an offering of the blackest consort. On September 11, Athanatos released “Tales from the Womb of Elsewhere” via Hellenic Metal World.

Athanatos

To say that the Greek product is richer and deeper than the Scandinavian one would be an accurate statement and “Tales from the Womb of Elsewhere” is a testament to this truth. Warm, seductive passages: smooth tremolo riffs, silky double-bass undercurrents and all at a savory mid-tempo. You can feel the energy build as Ocean swells and then draw back like the tide during the opening track, “The Abomination”, before the following track, “Morality in Age of War”, unfolds to a level of groove not typical of Black Metal and yet its pieces fit snugly all the same. There are parts where all other parts except for the rhythm section are stripped away, allowing for the sinister tone of the vocals to overpower. There are also classic blast-beat-driven sequences, but they’ve been crafted with finesse as opposed to raw power; a master’s touch behind the kit indeed.

I can’t help but be reminded of an outfit like Norway’s SWORN when things are in full swing here – that contemporary touch – superlative swagger in action. The talent is definitely there in Spades and outside of a few dull parts to a few cuts, “Tales from the Womb of Elsewhere” is a wholly immersive experience. Production-wise, expect a padded-like level of clarity: softer and saturated, which sets the way for a gorgeous mix where each phase is as vital as the next and discernible to even Novice ears. Rainfall is a common atmospheric element in “Nocturnal Transformation”, as I’m reminded of dreary depressed days of not wanting to get out of bed or listen to Black Metal, while “Conqueror of Realms” delivers a contrasting experience to its predecessor: no visual atmosphere, only textbook Black Metal that stirs up from the depths of consciousness memories of when this particular Scene made its initial impact upon you all those years ago.

“Tales from the Womb of Elsewhere” is a strong debut put together by real Visionaries as opposed to olde-Scene-worshipping Artists who are stuck in 1992 even though they were two years old that year… Gripping symphony elements captivate during “Locus Hecate”; building suspense; setting a most epic tone until gentle acoustics snuff the flame. A bass-driven record, a real torqued endeavor. An-uber melodic affair here and a slathering of grooves over there, comprehensively and properly representing the Black Metal Genre with pride is Athanatos.

Now that it’s all said and done, I can honestly say that “Tales from the Womb of Elsewhere” is truly a formidable recording that is sure to ensnare, to grip and to awe, particularly during the solo in “Journey Among the Dead”, in the way it closes with such rich acoustic parts and washed with purifying rains once more. An album that gets better with each listen, just like how Mom’s spaghetti always tasted better the next day. To elsewhere! Wherever that may be for you and to the proud Greek Scene that has unveiled yet another gem of a BM record.