Aklash – Reincarnation
Aklash – Reincarnation
Self-Released
Release Date: 20/06/2024
Running Time: 38:40
Review by Richard Oliver
9/10
UK Progressive Black Metal act Aklash are reincarnated with their fourth album “Reincarnation”, which is their first full length in three years and is also the first recorded work with the bands new line up which sees Yiannis Panou and Marco Silve join original member Nicholas Millar and long serving bass player Chris Kendell. After the Neoclassical Darkwave experimentation of previous album “Horizon”, “Reincarnation” sees the band return to Progressive Black Metal, but with a wholly reinvigorated sound drawing influence from here, there and everywhere. “Reincarnation” is a very apt title for the album as the band are very much reincarnated and sounding better than ever.
With the band’s new line-up having roots from all corners of Europe, musical influences are drawn from an incredibly diverse range. The core Black Metal sound is present but throughout this release you will hear European Folk, Gothic Rock, Progressive Rock as well as Avant-Garde weirdness. With such an array of sounds and influences there is a risk of the album sounding disjointed and overcrowded, but Aklash have worked wonders in composing intricate and enthralling compositions with the various influences carefully weaving their way throughout and the changes sounding absolutely natural and never forced or abrupt. The diverse nature of the songs ensures the album never sits still or allows the listener to become complacent from the moody prog of ‘Communion With Ghosts’, the jaunty and theatrical nature of ‘Babylon’, the Eastern european folk of ‘Cossack’ and the furiously catchy title track.
Black Metal is one of the most diverse and experimental sub-genres in Metal and Aklash prove this in spadefuls on “Reincarnation”. It is Black Metal yet so, so much more and really proves that still in 2024 that Metal music has the ability to break boundaries and tread new ground. This is an album that will appease extreme music fans as well as fans of progressive and experimental music. Undoubtedly this is Aklash’s finest moment to date and the care and attention that has gone into writing this album can be clearly heard. An absolutely magnificent album.
‘Reincarnation’ Official Video
TRACKLISTING:
01. Reincarnation
02. Communion With Ghosts
03. Babylon
04. Sapphires And Garlic
05. Cossack
06. Kaval
07. Caravanserai
08. My Will Made Manifest
LINE-UP:
Nicholas Millar – Lead Vocals, Guitars & Violin
Yiannis Panou – Guitars, Bouzouki, Flute & Vocals
Chris Kendell – Bass & Vocals
Marco Silva – Drums, Percussion, Synths & Vocals
LINKS:
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