Review by Felix on April 13, 2022.

I lost the trace of Acherontas some years ago. As far as I remember, Amenti was much weaker than its predecessor. Vamachara had been a kind of promise from my point of view, an album that had given me the feeling this band could create something really big. Drama, intensity, triumph and everything else was combined skilfully. The music bordered on perfection every now and then. To take the final step seemed to be a matter of course, but Amenti proved the opposite.

Now, almost ten years later, Acherontas is back on my radar. Why? The answer is simple. Malocchio… is the album I expected after Vamachara. It spreads fascinating occult vibes and has a close eye on atmosphere. Yet this is not to say that heaviness comes off badly. The voluminous production guarantees a firm and steely foundation. Even a few almost dreamy parts do not sound saccharine in view of the more or less immaculate mix. But one can also expect a good sound. After all, Greece has survived its national bankruptcy of 2008. So there should be enough money for a decent metal production. And this is what we get here: thundering guitars, vigorous drums and non-sterile keyboards. Not to mention the passionate vocals that shine with a high degree of variety. Narrative parts, fervent screams, commanding speeches and throaty shouts, all these approaches can be found here. They reflect the different facets of the complex but not inaccessible tunes. Finally, the lamenting vocals at the beginning of 'Belial – The End Of Beliya’al' add an extraordinary oriental flavour.

Severity and melancholy shake hands during the 45 minutes, but the music never melts into self-pity. Songs like 'Satan – Exaltation Of Unbeing' take the listener on an intensive, stirring voyage. If you do not like this kind of rather melodic black metal, you should stay away from Malocchio and I admit that one or two solos are a bit too emotional for my taste. Nevertheless, if black metal is more for you than just the (of course great) icicle melodies from Scandinavia, you will like almost every second of the material. It sounds as if each musician of Acherontas has put his individuality in this work and thus it is almost logical that we receive a convincing album. The grandeur of 'Hecate – Queen Of The Crossroads', expressed especially in the fast sequences, recalls the best moments of sophisticated German forces like Geïst or Nagelfar (the latter, unfortunately, didn't have many of them).

The stylish artwork underlines that the Greeks do not intend to deliver a half-baked product. Everything is meticulously arranged, even though the absolute smasher, the song I want to hear again and again, is missing. So what? Malocchio transports spirituality, mysticism and authenticity and these features make the music to a kind of soundtrack for an occult ritual. From now on, Acherontas will get my attention again – together with roughly 1,979 further bands.

Rating: 7.8 out of 10

Review by Death8699 on September 23, 2018.

I'm not sure if this album was worth 5 years upon arising, but I gave it a "B" anyway since Deicide is still playing aggressive death metal after 30+ years of being in existence. I'm going to say it but I always liked them the most with the Hoffman brothers in the band. They just were so much more creative from their debut all the way up unto Scars of the Crucifix. But now with newer lineup Ralph Santolla's passing and recruiting members to that of the likes of Cannibal Corpse, Order of Ennead, and Monstrosity things will never be the same again. Nothing can replace the innovative first two releases. But this is them now.

Being on Century Media Records now long over with Roadrunner Records (Hoffman era) it seems as though Deicide is still looking for their sound once again. I don't think that they can come up with anything that compares to the older albums. However, one good thing is that they've not lost the intensity and brutality. Sure it's difficult to duplicate what was in the past. However, it seemed as though after Once Upon The Cross they seemed to be lazy and in regression instead of progression. That's what I'm trying to convey here, they've at least put out something worth remembering a truly solid death metal album. The music is a bit monotonous, but it fits the vocals well.

Glen has not thrown out his voice so that's good and this quartet has many more years to make more good music. The riffs on here are at times somewhat technical, but they fit with the vocals. Again, not as innovative as the earlier days are concerned. But still, they're trying to reestablish themselves. Glen finds it hard to flow with creativity because bands aren't really making that much anymore. That has to do with everything digital and a means of getting music whereas the old fashioned way of doing it via CD's in long gone. I'd have to say that I'm still old school but I download as well. This album is a prime example.

So the production quality to the album was really good. You can hear all of the music and the vocals aren't overcharged like on The Stench of Redemption as an example. I just wish there was more variety to Glen's vocals because the old days he used to scream as well. The music, as stated above is mediocre, yet solid. Not to sound like a double negative, but really, a lot of the riffs they could've done a better job on. It's not a waste of a release by any means, it just needs more creativity and passion. 5 years to make a 37 minute album is a little weak I'd have to say. They should have more vigor than they do.

So, should you go ahead and buy the album via CD, or just download the digital copy of the album? Download the digital copy first to see if it's something you'd be interested in. I started off hating this release, then after repeated listens to, I'd have to concur that it's worth buying the physical CD. They're still kicking butt 30+ years in the death metal arena. They haven't lost it, they just need to be more creative. Just because record sales plummeted resoundingly doesn't mean you have to be disloyal to your fans. Glen needs to analyze that statement and take it to heart because there are probably millions that want to hear this album. Get it, NOW!!

Rating: 8.5 out of 10

(Originally written for: http://www.secret-face.com)