Greek occult black metallers with retro rock influences, Acherontas, have released the first single, "The Offering Of Hemlock", from their eighth studio album, Psychic Death - The Shattering Of Perceptions. The album is slated for an April 24 release via Agonia Records. Pre-order the album in various formats here, and watch a lyric video for the single below.

Mysticism, magic, occult arts and rituals, all of which are driving factors behind Acherontas, are also the most adequate words that can be used to describe the band's image, sound and lyrics. The band is considered as one of the leading representatives of the New Wave of Greek Black Metal, heavily influenced by the original Hellenic metal scene, retro rock (especially the 70's rock) and eastern philosophy.

Acherontas was brought to life in 1996 by V.Priest and was ever since true to its internal tenets and traditions, which deemed the band as a "Magical Coven, dedicated to the Ancient Summerian Mysteries of Drakonian Blood". According to the band, "many traditions embracee these ancient sources as footprints and take form in our Void as Astral Vampirism, Hermeticism, Kabbalah, Dream Workings and Luciferian Magic". V. Priest continues, "true sorcery is not an art, it's science... in order to dare, we must know; in order to will, we must dare. We must will to possess empire and to reign we must be silent. We are real to those with eyes to see.”

Psychic Death - The Shattering Of Perceptions was recorded in Grecce, Germany and UK, at the band's own studios (the "Coven’s Corridors of Wilderness"). The album was produced, mixed and mastered at Pentagram Studio by George Emmanuel (Lucifer's Child, ex-Rotting Christ). Cover artwork was prepared by Chris Undirheimar  of Blood and Fire Ritual Art studio.

Acherontas commented on the new album: "Two years after the release of Faustian Ethos the coven of Acherontas returns with a monumental album, delivering the most mature, potent and diverse offering throughout a vibrant discography of 23 years up to date, fulfilling the promises left abound with closure of the triptych Psychic Death. The shattering of Perceptions and the unfolding of the Psyche. A manifest of sound, spirit and matter, blending across the ancient routes of divination. Across all the cardinal directions, the core elements of the Psychic structure detonate and flourish, risen and aflame as a newborn supernova, embedding axioms and attributes on the vital points of existence, on the ethers as in the depths. The uncharted map of man’s subtle anatomy becomes flooded with the governing universal force of Vitae, the arrows of Life, the nectars of Death and the flames of Rebirth. The crystal halls of the Psyche reverberate, once more, with a monumental milestone to glorify the Ascension to Godhood, the Devil and the Inner Demon. Expect a fierce return deep into the roots of the 90s that we had grown up and evolved through the Black Arts... No more words... Actions define Men and the Brave Spirits".

On top of that, Agonia Records label manager commented: "It's definitely a milestone album in Acherontas' career."

Tracklisting:

"Paradigms Of Nyx"
"Κiss The Blood"
"The Brazen Experimentalist"
"Psychic Death (The Shattering Of Perceptions)"
"Coiled Splendor"
"The Offering of Hemlock"
"Sermons Of The Psyche"
"Μαγεια των καθρεφτων (Magick Of Mirrors)"

"The Offering Of Hemlock" lyric video:

Trailer:

Lineup:

Acherontas V.Priest - vocals, guitars
Saevus H. - guitars
Hierophant - bass
Indra - guitars
Dothur - drums