Review: Penthos – Erevos
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Review by Rick Eaglestone
Penthos – Erevos
Record Label: Darkness Shall Rise Productions
Year: 2025
Rating: 7/10
There is something quite potent about the way Greek Black Metal has evolved over the decades. From the early pioneers like Rotting Christ and Varathron to the newer wave of atmospheric torchbearers, the Hellenic scene has always possessed a unique ability to marry ancient mysticism with raw sonic brutality. Enter Penthos with their sophomore effort “Erevos” – a work that does not just understand this tradition but elevates it to genuinely compelling heights.
Right from the opening moments, it’s clear that Penthos aren’t interested in reinventing the wheel, and frankly, that’s perfectly fine by me as what they’ve crafted here slices through the like a blade, yet there’s enough murk in the low end to maintain that essential sense of otherworldly dread.
Penthos
The nine tracks that comprise “Erevos” flow with an almost ritualistic precision. There is a clear understanding of dynamics at play here that many modern Black Metal acts seem to have forgotten in their rush to be either brutally fast or glacially slow. Penthos know when to unleash hell and when to let the atmosphere breathe. The cold, melancholic fast-paced sections recall the finest moments of Finnish Black Metal – there’s certainly some Horna and Sargeist DNA floating around in these compositions – while the slower, more groove-oriented passages evoke the kind of hypnotic repetition that made albums like Carpathian Forest‘s “Strange Old Brew” so compelling.
Every track here has memorable riffs, proper song structures, and genuine hooks that burrow into your consciousness. It’s atmospheric without being pretentious, brutal without being mindlessly aggressive, and traditional without sounding like a museum piece.
Vocally, this is classic Black Metal shrieking done right. No clean vocals, no unnecessary experimentation – just pure, venomous delivery that serves the songs perfectly. The vocals sit in the mix exactly where they should, prominent enough to convey the malevolent intent but never overwhelming the instrumental performances. There is a genuine sense of conviction in the delivery that cannot be faked.
The album’s pacing is exemplary. At just under fifty minutes, it never outstays its welcome, and the sequencing ensures that each track feels necessary rather than like filler. This is clearly a band that understands the importance of the album as a complete listening experience rather than just a collection of songs.
“Erevos” works because it understands that great Black Metal is not about ticking boxes or following formulas – it is about creating genuine atmosphere and emotional impact. Penthos have succeeded in creating an album that honours the genre’s traditions while still feeling relevant and vital.
“Erevos” is an easy recommendation. It is not going to revolutionize the genre, but it does not need to. Sometimes the best thing a band can do is simply execute their vision with conviction and craft, and that’s exactly what Penthos have accomplished here.
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