Acherontia Styx – Your Possible Pasts (re-phrase) Review

Before we dive into the review, let’s take a fresh look at Acherontia Styx and their EP, Your Possible Pasts. Originally penned in 2019, the initial review can still be found here. I thought it would be refreshing to reimagine some older reviews in a more modern style, making them more significant and detailed, especially as this rewritten piece aligns with the EP’s re-release. For the first time, the EP is being made available on vinyl (link below). This edition showcases a revamped version of the original 2019 artwork and, like the limited edition, includes two additional tracks: ‘You Matter’ and ‘Divine Primordial’.

The moment the listener hits the play button, they are welcomed by the enchanting sounds of Your Possible Pasts, filled with melodic rhythms, flowing beats, and captivating spoken words.

As the music carries the listener into dark and macabre realms as they proceed through the second piece, Fallen, and the remaining two pieces. It also features a lyrical theme dealing with existentialism, personal failure, and the inevitability of decay. The title itself suggests an exploration of the self—how one’s past choices shape the present and whether those “possible pasts” (alternate realities or paths in life) would have led to a different outcome. “The lyrics aren’t just about death but also about the emotional toll of life, with reflections on regret, hopelessness, and the darkness within the human psyche.”

Comprising eighteen engaging minutes, Acherontia Styx’s EP, Your Possible Pasts, is a hauntingly and dark fruit of art. It presents to listeners a painstakingly created work that speaks to accuracy, so highlighting the creators’ adeptness and their devilmanship. This eight-minute trip descends into an extreme realm of brutal sound, mixing the ferocity of death metal with the cold ambiance of black metal and even whispers of doom. Modern death metal, experimental, and progressive art rock combined to create an uncompromising, immersive experience.

Introducing Acherontia Styx, here’s a fresh take on their EP Your Possible Pasts. One thing stands out about this band: they fully commit to their craft. What you hear is undoubtedly what they offer—the album often strays from conventional song formats. While certain tracks feature familiar verses and choruses, others take a more narrative approach, weaving through frenzied riffs, ethereal segments, and chilling breakdowns. This creates an unpredictable rhythm throughout the album, with intensity fluctuating swiftly from rapid-fire energy to sombre, reflective grooves.

In addition to its fast and aggressive tracks, the album features slower, more deliberate segments that enhance its weight and intensity. These slower moments serve as a buildup to the impending chaos, creating a striking contrast between speed and atmosphere, which is a hallmark of the album. Occasionally, it delves into darker, more atmospheric territories, providing a moment of respite before the onslaught of intensity, while simultaneously infusing the music with a haunting beauty that amplifies the impact of the brutal sections when they reemerge.

Acherontia Styx envelops the listener in a raw production that lacks polish, yet possesses a haunting, ethereal quality. This soundscape effectively connects the intense chaos with darker, introspective moments, sometimes feeling suffocating. Guitarists Paul (Dinenthal) and Adam deliver sharp, piercing riffs that blend the ferocity and speed of death metal with the bleak, dissonant chord progressions characteristic of black metal. Furthermore, the guitars deliver a blend of fuzzy, aggressive riffs that transition between melodic interludes and chaotic bursts, occasionally evoking a sense of melancholy that adds an unsettling dimension to the overall sound.

Dinenthal‘s bass and synth-wizardry work are pivotal; his bass often echoes the guitar lines during the faster passages but also embraces a heavier, doom-laden style in the slower segments, enriching the music’s darker undertones. The synths crafted by Dinenthal are crucial in amplifying the album’s atmosphere, particularly in the more ambient or introspective moments. Unlike traditional uses of synths found in progressive metal or industrial genres, this album employs them in a manner that harmonizes perfectly with the dark, oppressive ambiance the band masterfully creates.

Jake Burden on the drums unleashes a furious blast-beats that drives the music with relentless force. These blast beats are not merely simple; they weave into intricate patterns, occasionally shifting into polyrhythms or syncopated rhythms, enhancing the intensity and technical prowess. Grant the Beast‘s vocals contribute guttural growls and piercing screams, infusing the music and lyrics with a dynamic range that heightens the album’s tension and emotional depth.

Overall, Your Possible Pasts, which opens a book of four stories. “Your Possible Pasts,” A telling of a tale about the heartbreaking death of a loved one, drug addiction, a near-death experience, and the constant battle with personal demons. “Fallen,” focuses on and tells the tale of Lucifer’s expulsion from the heavens to the fire pits of hell. “Lector,” is based on the Thomas Harris character of the same name.

The album reaches its conclusion with the final track, Eyes Of Glass, which encapsulates the essence of Thomas Harris, the inspiration behind the band’s name. This song immerses listeners in the mind of the fictional serial killer, Francis Dollarhyde, enhanced by a cacophony of psychotic voices from over a dozen guest vocalists worldwide. Eyes Of Glass showcases the talents of ten additional singers, creating a vibrant tapestry of hooks and rhythms. Meanwhile, the talented Tracy Moore lends her operatic voice, narrating the turmoil of another character from Thomas Harris‘s universe.

We want to give a shoutout to Acherontia Styx for letting us review their album, Your Possible Pasts, back in 2019. Now, we’re going to wrap it up by talking about the final three sins and concluding the review.