There really is something to be said for the enthralling vibe and hook of Melodic Black Metal. When Jon Nödtveidt crafted Dissection’s first two albums, I’m sure he wouldn’t have expected that there would be such a wealth of truly amazing bands across the globe with their own respective takes on it – and one of the countries that does this better than most, is Greece.
When I think of a country that isn’t Norway, Sweden or Finland that is producing stellar Black Metal, one of the first countries that comes to mind for me is Greece, and with a band like Athanatos coming out with a terrific album like ‘Tales From The Womb Of Elsewhere’, their debut album, mind you, their scene is assured of that “stellar” descriptor!
I will admit, I instantly knew I would like this album, even before listening to it. You may recall I reviewed fellow countrymen Decipher’s 2026 opus this year, and had glowing praise for it as well, with that album being a sterling example of Greek Black Metal.
Athanatos has crafted something very special indeed with this album; that wonderfully beautiful marriage of melody and Black Metal darkness is perfected here, with wonderful production, icy vocal rasps and brilliant guitar work, laying an excellent foundation of Melodic Black Metal for their debut album.
Tracks like ‘Morality In Age Of War’, ‘She Who Walks The Underworld’ and ‘Conqueror Of Realms’ assail you with vicious and clinical Black Metal riffs, pummelling drums and that sustained vocal shriek that suits it so well, which is icing on the cake.
The album closer before the bonus track, ‘Journey Among The Dead’ needs to be heard to be believed; the arrangement is unusual and unique but worth it; I commend the band for doing something different with a track like this.
At around 44 minutes, including a prelude before the album closer (in addition, a bonus track) Athanatos have made a case for this album to be included in Year End and Album Of The Year lists, that no doubt will be an even more difficult place to keep their names on, given the sheer number of incredible bands in 2026 doing their best work to date.
There is enough variety here as well for the album to warrant repeated listens, and while it is Black Metal that is very much in the vein of Yoth Iria, The Great Sea, Frozen Shadows and Blackbraid; bombastic, powerful, resonant and somewhat accessible Melodic Black Metal; it’s a superb debut album from a promising young Black Metal band from Greece and is recommended for fans of Melodic Black Metal.
I’m sure Jon would be proud.
