Acolythus has joined our world.
Formed in Finland by Angrmáni (guitar/vocals, Chronicler, Jotungrav, Sargassus), Abyssias (bass, Sargassus), and Maleficarum (drums, Erase This Earth, Convulse, Jotungrav, Sargassus), the band immediately caught the attention of Inverse Records, with whom they released their debut album, Unearthly Kingdoms ‘Neath Lifeless Stars.
We are introduced to their icy universe with Among Ruins Forlorn, a rather mysterious introductory sample featuring keyboards and percussion joined by vocals, before Scholars of Empires Beyond takes over, delivering a sound rooted in Finland’s most impure Black Metal, combining piercing harmonics with a fairly aggressive foundation, though with rare moments of respite. Screams that haunt the riffs are equally menacing, blending perfectly with the infernal atmosphere before leading into As the Slaughtered Wizards Reincarnate, a track, like the previous one, that’s quite long and wastes no time in hitting us with full force, this time with a somewhat jerky feel, allowing us to catch our breath during the ethereal moments before picking up speed again. The rousing finale carries us into Frozen Desolate Warfields, an unsettling interlude that seems poised to erupt thanks to the drums but will wait until Vacuous Gods of the Abyss to give free rein to its dark and devastating hatred. The sharp tones give way to significantly heavier passages and frenzied choruses before the haunting melodies come to life on Unearthly Kingdoms ‘Neath Lifeless Stars, the eponymous track that offers a much more ethereal yet still equally cold approach, while the vocals wander, filling us with dread. There are some folk influences in the softer passages, and we let ourselves be carried from one track to the next, arriving at In the Fading Light of Burning Cathedrals, the final track which is significantly more majestic, featuring more imposing tones, at times even much slower, particularly on the drums, yet the vocalist makes every moment intense, even as the sound fades into nothingness.
It goes without saying that Acolythus is Finnish, as their music is steeped in that characteristic coldness, yet one that is so epic, which makes Unearthly Kingdoms ‘Neath Lifeless Stars unique and so captivating. I do find it rather short, however, though very well paced.
90/100