Five years later, the American outfit is back with Melinoë, the new album titled after the Orphic goddess bringer of nightmares and madness, and in fact, this album is genuinely nightmarish. When you listen to it, the first thing that strikes you is the impressive sonic power, the strike force of their sound; rarely a black metal band manages to convey this devastating force. At the same time, this sound has several layers: alongside the sonic power, Melinoë also has hypnotic melodies that drag the listener into an endless vortex. It must also be said that Akhlys neither imitate the great European black metal bands, although they undoubtedly pay homage to them. Akhlys have their own well-defined identity and go their own way. Musically speaking, Melinoë is the product of excellent work by all musicians, from martial drums to possessed vocals, to multilayered guitar riffing, to some well-balanced synths, and not least the production. Melinoë is certainly a demonstration of the potential of modern black metal.
Notes:
Melinoë was released on 18 December 2020 on Debemur Morti Production as digital release, cassette, CD and vinyl: the CD and the vinyl are available in different versions, a few of which are limited.
Personnel:
Naas Alcameth: Vocals, Guitars, Bass, Keyboards, Ambience
Cody J. Tyler: Bass
Eoghan: Drums
Josh Perrin: Guitars
Nox Corvus Guitars (lead), Vocals (backing)
Text by Herjann
herjann@unholyblackmetal.com