REVIEW: Akhlys – “Sister Silence, Brother Sleep”
(A single from Akhlys’ upcoming album, “House of the Black Gemini”)
Akhlys has had their devoted fans, myself included, eagerly awaiting new material since their late 2020 masterpiece, ’Melinoë’, which I’ve not only played but almost religiously studied countless times. Today, April 5th, marks the end of that wait with the release of “Sister Silence, Brother Sleep” — an intriguing glimpse into their upcoming album, ’House of the Black Gemini’.
Donning my trusty, well-worn headphones, I braced myself for the track, despite my nascent tinnitus.
First Impressions:
The sound production, masterfully handled by Dave Otero, subtly deviates from the crushingly dense style of ’Melinoë’. It presents a slightly softer yet equally menacing sonic wall. Even on the very first listen, the track reveals nuanced layers. Eoghan’s drumming, a blend of merciless power and razor-sharp precision, propels the music forward. The guitar work exhibits a progressive edge, with the rhythm section producing that familiar, brutal hum. The lead guitar weaves serpentine, spiral melodies, while the synth pads undulate like powerful waves, immersing me in an electrified hallucination, tinged with the melancholic hues of their second album, ’The Dreaming I’.
Track Analysis:
The triumphant opening solo guitar melody, evoking Nightbringer’s style (perhaps reminiscent of ’Ego Dominus Tuus’), is soon submerged in Akhlys’ signature wall of sound. Naas’ vocals, both roaring and inhuman, whip the listener into a torrent of ecstatic dread. The track’s intensity mounts, painting a picture of a deep blue haze, both ethereal and foreboding. This climactic vertigo draws me deeper, eliciting genuine cold shivers. The craftsmanship here is nothing short of dark genius. Just when it seems the end is near, a pivotal shift occurs. The tempo slows, and a dreamy, solo guitar interlude reminiscent of medieval fanfares emerges, prompting introspection…
This segment aligns with Naas’ vision, as he described in his recent interview with Bardo Methodology, conceptualizing ”two mythical entities carrying the dreamer upstairs to the attic.” This attic, a seldom-occupied liminal space bathed in light, is envisioned as the locus for profound revelations.
As the track concludes, we descend back into the metaphorical Cellar, the contrasting respite of light vividly remembered. This journey through light and dark begs the question: will light prevail in the end? The track returns full circle to its original intensity, ending with a rhythm that evokes the image of a wildly galloping herd of horses.
(ATTENTION: This track is part of a concept album and is intended to be experienced fully within that context.)
Expect an in-depth review when the new album is released on June 5th, 2024.
