Review: Acherontas – Νekyia-The Necromantic Patterns
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Review by Jeger
Αχέροντας – Νekyia-The Necromantic Patterns
Record Label: Zazen Sounds / III Damnation Productions
Year: 2025
Rating: 10/10
When Black Metal is firmly rooted in occult practices, it’s generally of the most transcendental nature. There’s so much that we don’t understand about occult manifestations like Astral Vampirism, Kabbalah and Luciferian Magick, so to listen to music that’s been dedicated to these currents, music of such grandiose and oft flamboyant proportions feels much like standing in the presence of divinity: in awe, in wonder and imagination working overtime.
A greater understanding of life and rebirth has been the objective for Greece’s ΑΧΕΡΟΝΤΑΣ (Acherontas) since the earliest days of their esoteric studies, and their music provides a very rare look into the fascinating world of the occult, where mortality is but an illusion and the astral possibilities are endless. Sign me up… To partake in ritual and to make contact with Lucifer through the science of summoning? Tree of Life vs. Tree of Death, like the unstoppable force vs. the immovable object? Whatever astral Vampirism is? Yes, sir, I think I’ll have another. On April 30, ΑΧΕΡΟΝΤΑΣ will release their tenth studio LP, “NEKYIA – The Necromantic Patterns”, via Zazen Sounds / III Damnation.
When you reach the Ofermod, Serpent Noir, Mortuus, and Thy Darkened Shade tier of Black Metal connoisseurship, it’s then that you realize just how meaningful, how powerful Black Metal can be. And as you take in the opening track, “The Eleventh Inversion – Oracles of the Abyss” you’ll discover that the sentiment is the same. Like spiraling through the vortex that tunnels between our world and the Astral Plane and surprisingly a bit like if The Doors wrote a Black Metal song during one particular section of the track, but capped off with a level of ferocity in riffing/blasting that only bands like Svarttjern or Watain are capable of. One for the open road is the following track, “Serpent’s Oath – Hymns of the Coiled Void” or perhaps for the channeling of Draconian Current. An epic in the classic sense: anthemic, adventurous and ever-shifting is the tempo, ever-steeped in what actually sounds like some ‘70’s American Cult Rock influences as well. This is why we do this, boys and girls… This is an Occult Black Metal odyssey of esoteric proportions and the music that tracks it all together is legend-birthing material.
As per Greek tradition, you can expect a wealth of Hellenic drama, particularly during “Venomous Ascension – The Nexus of the Void” as theatrical female backing vocals come into play, striking up visuals of steamy ritual-infused Grecian nights – her voice drawing forth from the void great spirits of yore. The sound of tribal bongos and archaic chants to lull you into a trance state; rendering you over to the energy of the music now as it digs in almost like a calculated panic attack. Equally portioned helpings of suspense and sheer terror. Like a nightmare that you can’t wake from, but at the same time, you’re not so sure if you’d snap yourself out of it even if you could. It’s one of those thrill ride BM albums that just does not quit.
The music, the passion and the magick of “NEKYIA – The Necromantic Patterns” are palpable. This isn’t just Occult-inspired Black Metal that’s been created in some guy’s basement by another guy whose level of Barnes & Noble occult knowledge knows no bounds. What we have here are actual practitioners of the great craft of occultism who happen to also possess unparalleled songwriting abilities and showcase enviable adeptness behind their instruments. How do you not give an album like this one a perfect score? I’ve taken way too many edibles and it sounds like I’m trapped in this thing now. Just being bombarded from all angles with all kinds of epic, all sorts of melody and concentrated payloads of dark energy. Black Metal for transcendence indeed. Transcendent far beyond anything you may have ever heard before. Ready to ride the old snake? Strike up ritual’s blaze now upon this eve of post-mortem transformation. Let the necromancies permeate the night and may His blessings fulfill your every spiritual void. This is what perfection sounds like…
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