ACHYRONTHIA is a Metal band hailing from Belgium (hail to the legacy of KILLER & CROSSFIRE and the energy of AFTER ALL). From four to six members, they breathe life for eight years and had already released two demo recordings prior to the making of - herein reviewed - 2006's The Final Crossing debut full-length. OK, the album is not a 'new' one but the band was kind enough to send a promo copy to the Metal Temple headquarters, hence...
...what we do hear in this 10-track release is interesting enough. ACHYRONTHIA offers a Metal blend of classic Heavy/Epic Metal with a surrounding Death/Black Metal atmosphere. Repeat: the spine is Heavy Metal music and the 'coat' is atmospheric Death/Black Metal credits. Jokke Ponette uses multiple vocal lines, standing one step to normal Metal singing plus lots of growls and guttural melodies (sic); not something outstanding, though. He is mesmerizing enough at times, but I feel he could have come with a better approach. The band's music - on the other hand - sees an extended influence from bands like e.g. PARADISE LOST, KAMELOT, ('dark') HELLLOWEEN and even CRADLE OF FILTH or 'melodic' ROTTING CHRIST (the mood, mainly). There's seems to be a good chemistry between players, even if...
...the production does not fit the circumstance. ACHYRONTHIA's keyboards sound is primitive enough and does actually serve the scope, but - on the other hand - the e.g. guitars could sound more professional. All in all, The Final Crossing is a self-financed album worth the check; I really hope the band will come up with a proper record deal so as to have enough support in finance for a better result. I enjoyed the album but I think the average fan would give a...