What seems to stick out the most to me regarding ‘Achlys’ is consistency. There isn’t any kind of dip or let off at any point in the album as it pertains to the heavy, grief based vibe. That leads to a much better album when listening front to back.
This album is based around grief and loss, with majority of the songs being inspired by stories from individuals who have experienced it, and knowing that makes the album much more impactful. It doesn’t really seem like grief is being used simply for ambience; there’s something real, something personal about what is being transmitted and it comes through on the album.
I think the most impactful moments for me were on the song ‘Pain Remains’, which really comes down to the weight in the riffs. They aren’t simply fast or crushing, they literally bear down on you while you listen. However, the album doesn’t rely on one particular track. The drums never falter in being fast and sharp. The vocals have power to them without being erratic, and the overall song writing keeps everything pinned into place within the album’s mood.
Near the end, there is a bit more groove added to the riffs, but it doesn’t necessarily detract from the overall atmosphere that has been constructed throughout.
Ultimately, ‘Achlys’ is an album that succeeds because of its focus. I find this to be some of the better material Anasarca has put out. It’s heavy, emotional, consistent from first track to last, and driven by actual experiences, ensuring that the heaviness carries genuine weight.
