Anachronaeon - The Ethernal Throne (Review by Stephen Latimer)

I was glad to find out about two tracks into this masterwork that Anachronaeon are in fact from Sweden. At the start of Mary, I was saying to myself this will be an epic American take on Scandinavian Metal, but in fact it truly is Scandinavian Metal, and is littered with several flavors of the scene. In just what I’ve been exposed to, I hear several of the following. Trial this simply as you would the back of a wine bottle, or if your American, the contents of a pint of Ben & Jerry’s:
Emperor:-Prometheus
Mayhem-Chimaira
Deicide- One Upon the Cross
Marduk- World Funeral & Panzer Division Marduk
Enslaved- Below the Lights
Opeth-….just pick one from the last 12 years…’nuff said!
Vocally styled like Amon Amarth

DISCLAIMER! IN NO WAY, SHAPE, OR FORM DOES THIS ALBUM SOUND LIKE, OR EVEN COMPARE TO ANY OF THE MENTION ALBUMS ABOVE! These are just flavorful notes that I, the author, can compare some similarities. This album can easily stand alone on its own merits of prestigious valor. This is a quick review based on a one time listen, while examining the lyrics (a must, to fully understand). At first I was afraid this was going to be a Christian Metal album, and slightly questioned the source of recommendation (Not that I care what an artists preferred faith is, just wasn’t expecting that caliber without fair warning). To my ecstatic surprise, it hit closer to home, and turns into an enticing psychological thriller. The protagonist of the story is on a schizophrenic trip under directions of the divine, franticly slaying with blessings above. In graphic detail, these events are painted in seaman and blood. This ends up in estrange fashion similar to the movie “Identity” without giving too much. It’s just something you must experience yourself. 

As for the sonic assault, I’ve already mention some flavorful notes. But as a little better detail, this is a cacophony of complexity. There are everything from 70’s arena rock solos, to bombastic black metal of the 80’s, to the shrilling riffs of 90’s black metal. But bar none, the saturation of death metal is practically homage to most of the history of the genre. The riffage of the Florida scene shines alongside the Swedish melodic forefathers. Technicality blisters along with brutality, and all is blended progressively along in a vocal style compared to Amon Amarth. The music is a jet and onyx in value and beauty. The story is fabulous, as is the vocals. A must have album for anyone that’s into Death, or Black….or Prog, or Technical…or even some Doom. Honestly, only those strictly into punk or grindcore may have a problem with this album, but if most metalhead’s are like this author, they’re willing to venture out. Also, some may have a hard time to get into another melodic Swedish band, but should be given a try with is heavy notes of black.

https://www.facebook.com/Anachronaeon