Last July, oneiric Black Metal entity AKHLYS unveiled their formidable fourth opus, “House of the Black Geminus” – a stunning successor to the lauded “Melinoë“. Now, in collaboration with visual artist Chthonia (YouTube, Instagram, Bandcamp), the band conjures a haunting visual accompaniment to deepen the song’s dark and otherworldly aura.
Initially conceived to enhance AKHLYS’ live rituals, these abyssal visuals possess a standalone power – intensifying the atmosphere and amplifying the song’s lyrical resonance.
Composer Naas Alcameth (NIGHTBRINGER, AORATOS) reflects: “The lyrics for ‘Through the Abyssal Door‘ were written by my friend, Richard Gavin, an author of occult literature and horror fiction (“The Benighted Path“, “The Infernal Masque“). We had discussed the concepts behind the album and the role of each track within the album’s hierarchical structure. Overall, the track emphasises the idea of “katabasis” within the framework of an initiatic dream, symbolized as a descent towards the “cellar” of the House.”
Richard Gavin adds: “It is basically a two-part poem: one from the perspective of the house’s occupant, the next from the perspective of the Other itself.”
Delve into “House of the Black Geminus” in full below, or stream it across all major platforms!
Following their lauded appearance at the UK’s prestigious Fortress Festival (see photos here), AKHLYS will next perform in Istanbul, Turkey on October 25th. Further live manifestations will be revealed soon.
AKHLYS was formed 2009 by Naas Alcameth (NIGHTBRINGER, AORATOS, BESTIA ARCANA) as a musical expression for the inexplicable visions, journeys and phenomena that occur in liminal lands between slumber and awakening. Initially exploring these concepts via Dark Ambient in debut “Supplication” (2009) and then haunting Black Metal through lauded follow-up “The Dreaming I” (2015), Alcameth has once again reified and rarefied this vision, giving rise to a third and crowning work, “Melinoë”, which was released in December 2020.
Earning widespread acclaim for their live performances, AKHLYS secured a partnership with Parasite Gallows Booking in 2022. Amidst numerous tours and festival appearances in Europe, Israel, Latin America and the United States, the recent years have also witnessed the crafting of new compositions destined for the band’s fourth album. Titled “House of the Black Geminus,” this much-anticipated release is released July 5th, 2024.
Mother of THE VOID.
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