Album Review: Achathras – A Darkness of the Ancient Past

 Album Review 

Artist: Achathras

A Darkness of the Ancient Past

Cult Never Dies

Release Date: September, 30, 2025

Score 9/10 

Review by Rick Eaglestone

Formed by anonymous musicians whose previous works have clearly left indelible marks on the underground, Achathras operates from the shadows with purpose and precision.

From the opening moments of "The Weaving Of The Worlds," it becomes clear that this collective has absorbed the lessons of the masters. The epic synth work that introduces the album immediately conjures memories of Emperor's symphonic majesty, while maintaining a distinctly personal voice. This isn't mere pastiche; it's reverent evolution. The way atmospheric passages weave seamlessly into blistering tremolo-picked sections demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of dynamics that many modern acts struggle to achieve.

"Anointed With Moonfire," the album's lead single, serves as a perfect encapsulation of Achathras's approach. The track balances caustic vocals with otherworldly keyboard work, creating moments of genuine transcendence. When the blast beats kick in, they feel earned rather than gratuitous, propelling the composition forward with ritualistic intensity. The melodic passages don't feel like concessions to accessibility but rather as essential breathing spaces that make the album's more aggressive moments hit with greater impact.

"A Cerement Of Flame" and "Emanation Of Chaos" showcase the band's ability to craft memorable compositions that honour black metal's fundamental aggression while incorporating genuinely epic song writing. These aren't mere collections of riffs but carefully constructed journeys through darker realms. The way melodies surface and submerge within the maelstrom of distortion recalls the best moments of Gehenna's early work, while the vocal performance maintains that essential otherworldly quality that separates truly compelling black metal from mere noise.

Perhaps most impressively, Achathras manages to feel both nostalgic and fresh throughout the album's nine tracks. "Melancholy Wanderer" demonstrates their willingness to explore more introspective territory without abandoning their core identity, while "The Despiser Triumphant" unleashes pure, concentrated fury that would make even the Norwegian pioneers nod in approval.

A Darkness of the Ancient Past, stands as a monument to the atmospheric grandeur that defined European black metal's golden age, yet manages to feel utterly vital and contemporary in its execution.