Album Review: Amarta अमरत - Formulas Of Reptilian Unification Part II by Acherontas
Alright, buckle up, because this one’s a wild ride. Amarta अमरत (say that five times fast) is the second part of Acherontas’ mind-melting saga, Formulas Of Reptilian Unification. Released in 2017 under Germany’s W.T.C. Productions, it’s an unapologetic black metal beast with teeth sharper than your average existential crisis. And yeah, it’s heavy—like, “I need to sit down and rethink my life choices” heavy.
Let’s dive into the chaos, shall we? The album opens with the title track, "Amarta", which hits you like a truck made entirely of fire and shadows. From the first riff, you know you’re not dealing with your run-of-the-mill black metal here. It’s ritualistic, almost hypnotic, as if the band wants to drag you into some ancient cosmic ceremony where snakes wear crowns and time doesn’t exist. There’s this raw energy pulsing through every note, but also layers upon layers of intricate soundscapes that make you feel like you’re decoding secret messages from another dimension. Honestly, I couldn’t stop humming the main melody for days—even though humming probably isn’t the right word for something so dark and brooding.
Then there’s "Savikalpa Samadhi सविकल्पसमाधि"—a track so intense it feels like staring directly at the sun while someone whispers forbidden knowledge in your ear. The drumming is relentless, like machine-gun fire set to a funeral march, and the vocals are equal parts demonic growl and otherworldly chant. What sticks with me most about this song is how it builds—slowly, methodically—until the whole thing explodes into a maelstrom of noise and fury. By the end, I was left dazed, wondering whether I’d just been spiritually cleansed or cursed. Either way, it stuck.
The rest of the album follows suit, weaving between blastbeat-heavy assaults ("Schism Of Worlds") and eerie, atmospheric interludes ("Rosa Andromeda"). Tracks like "Tablets Of Mercury" double down on the occult vibes, making you feel like you’ve stumbled onto some forbidden grimoire written in blood and ash. Meanwhile, "I-Am Ness - The Tradition Of Eye" throws curveballs with its cryptic lyrics and labyrinthine structure—it’s the kind of song that demands multiple listens just to unravel its secrets.
Here’s the kicker: despite all the technical wizardry and esoteric themes, Amarta अमरत never feels pretentious. Sure, it’s dense and challenging, but it wears its weirdness like a badge of honor. You can tell Acherontas aren’t trying to impress anyone—they’re just doing their thing, and damn if their thing isn’t fascinating.
So what’s the takeaway? Well, after spinning this record a few times, I found myself thinking about reptiles more than usual. Like, have you ever really looked at a lizard? They’re kinda creepy, right? But also kinda majestic in their cold-blooded indifference. That’s sort of what this album feels like—a sonic ode to creatures who see the world differently, who thrive in darkness and defy explanation.
Or maybe I’m overthinking it. Maybe it’s just really good black metal. Whatever the case, Amarta अमरत will leave you questioning everything—including why you own so many clean shirts when all you want to do is bang your head till your neck hurts.
