Athenaeum Of Sin Reviews

Before diving into the review, it’s important to note that those acquainted with the Italian solo project Apocalypse of Erymanthon will recognize his reputation for crafting music inspired by legendary on-man extreme band Bathory. However, Apocalypse marks a departure from the Bathory sound, venturing into uncharted territory and music that feels like Dante’s nine circles of hell. 

Apocalypse has gone for this evolution in his sound, a tapestry uniting the typically epic traits of previous works with a faster pace and Gothic and Neoclassical atmospheres. Within this tapestry, the listener will find elements of black metal, death metal, symphonic, heavy, pagan, and folk influences, and a touch of old-school in the sounds and production.

Moving on with the review, when the listener hits the play button, they are greeted by the captivating strains of Praeludium in D Minor, an instrumental introduction that spans over three minutes and pays homage to Bach‘s intense original. As the journey unfolds with the second piece, Hanged, Drawn and Quartered, and the remaining seven pieces, the listener is drawn into a chilling theatrical experience, each chapter (song) unfolding like a dark anthology.

As one delves deeper into the realm of Pandemonium, and his nine circles of hell tapestry. Erymanthon and his album Pandaemonium, and its tapestry unfolds over a captivating forty-six minutes, divided into nine distinct tracks, each one a unique journey through the varied landscapes of nine circles of hell. As listeners traverse this sonic odyssey, they are met with fresh elements (mentioned above) in every composition, inviting the listener to lose themselves in the intricate details and rich textures. 

Pandaemonium, also provides the listener with a perfect brilliance of musical and lyrical composition — unveiling a spellbinding blend of creativity and devilmanship. Each track invites the listener to experience a rich tapestry of synths and organ sounds that amplify the album’s gothic and neoclassical allure, wrapping them in an eerie atmosphere. Alongside this, haunting melodies emerge, characterized by a heavy, brooding atmosphere, dynamic shifts in vocals, and moments of chaotic and epic grandeur. 

Additionally, within the tapestry of the Apocalypse composition, one can discover a remarkable display of instrumental and vocal devilmanship. Guitar work, mentioned in the first sin, manges to infuse the tracks with an intricate beauty, enhancing the overall complexity of the sound, but also hint back to a classic Heavy Metal sound. Adding to these complex compositions are the drums, the dynamic drumming adds a technical prowess with the relentless pace of thrash metal. The use of synths and organ sounds, which create a gothic, neoclassical, and dark atmosphere, in certain points in the music, the synth introduces this sinister depth, enriching the overall mood of the tracks.

Erymanthon‘s vocal delivery in his composition is raw and aggressive, at the same time showcasing a wide range of techniques. This dynamic performance also incorporates intense shouting and merciless shrieking to melodic and powerful epic clean singing, contributing to a powerful and varied vocal landscape that enhances the music’s emotional depth, and adds this theatrical feel to the music. Despite the aggressive tone, the vocals convey profound themes, reflecting the dark intensity of the compositions.

Each track on Pandaemonium showcases Erymanthon‘s ability to blend different metal subgenres and create a cohesive and engaging listening experience. But also showcasing Erymanthon‘s remarkable artistic ability for weaving together various styles into a cohesive and mesmerizing auditory journey that resonates long after the last note has faded away. And one more thing, that needs a mention is the production quality of Pandemonium is top-notch, ensuring that every note, atmospheric texture, and chord resonates clearly, providing a crisp auditory experience for the listener. Otherwise, the record features an innovative sound with an old-school touch.

This album is certainly worth exploring if you are a fan of epic and atmospheric black metal.