ALBUM REVIEW: Baptism In Psychical Analects – Akantha
Originally forming all the way back in 2002 for little over a year, Greece’s AKANTHA have, since their reformation in 2017, managed to make a solid and respectable impression on the underground black metal scene. The two piece, comprising of founding member Athanasios and fellow Deathvalves member S., quickly putting out the bands long awaited debut record, Apocalyptic Psalms in March last year, showcasing an orthodox and rabid sound that made a solid impression despite its brief length. Not ones to rest on their laurels, the band released its follow up, Baptism In Psychical Analects just over a year later. This latest record further refines their sound, making for a record that is far leaner and decidedly more impressive than its predecessor.
Catharsis From Katara And Anathema starts Baptism Of Psychical Analects off on a very strong note, bursting out of the speakers at a breakneck pace, with razor sharp guitars and tight, punishing drums providing a great backdrop for visceral and caustic vocals. It’s clear here AKANTHA are very firmly rooted in an old-school black metal sound, with ferocious musicianship and a crisp, raw production resulting in a fantastic sound that sets the tone for the rest of the record. The Colossal Crisis Of Anax follows in much the same vein. Blistering guitar hooks, bellicose vocals and machine-gun percussion create a chaotic, yet heavily melody driven sound.
The Monotheistic Pharaoh continues to follow the tried and tested template, without losing any of its intensity or appeal. This song has some of the more impressive guitar parts on a record full of excellent guitar flourishes, making it stand head and shoulders above many of the other songs on the record, making for an eclectic track that is as haunting as it is aggressive. Heroic eschews the speed that has defined the first three songs on this record in favour of a steady, mid-paced approach, with solid drumming providing the foundations on which full and powerful guitars and subdued yet arid vocals are able to build the rest of the sound. Although this song lacks much of the intensity of the others, it’s nonetheless a good change of pace that adds variety to the record, and shows that the band don’t have to rely upon speed and ferocity to craft a solid song.
Thesis And Antithesis reverts to the fast and furious sound that marked the first half of the album, with searing lead guitar riffs, particularly bestial vocals and a thunderous percussive undercurrent all making for a cacophonous, yet memorable sound, and setting the listener up incredibly well for the sixth and final song on the record, Lethargy; this last, lengthy offering is another mid-tempo affair, with a very dissonant edge that really separates it from the rest of the songs, and making for a darker and more grating sound that the first five songs. Interspersed with melodic flourishes, and with an ominous church bell and acoustic guitars making an appearance towards the songs climax, it proves to be an impressive and atmospheric piece of music that brings the album to a close on an incredibly high note.
Baptism In Psychical Analects is a great follow up to Apocalyptic Psalms. AKANTHA are definitely attempting to work longer songs into their sound, with some decent results, and the shorter songs possess a much tighter and more aggressive punch than on the previous record. Luckily, this shift towards lengthier songs has paid off. The sound is great as well, being raw enough to draw in die hard fans of the genre, and yet being clear enough to allow the music to be heard properly. AKANTHA have definitely raised the bar for themselves here.
Rating: 8/10
Baptism In Psychical Analects is set for release July 18th via Hammerheart Records.
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