Achelous

Anyone familiar with Greek Heavy Metal knows that many Hellenic bands, journalists and fans can pride themselves with a strong and long-standing predilection towards everything Epic (with capital E, of course). Why it is so, and where this passion comes from would be an interesting subject to indulge in, but for now let’s just make it clear that Greece must count as the most ardent and long-lived strongholds in the world for Epic Metal. Among those brave enough to take on the demanding task to carry the torch into the future we find ACHELOUS right there at the front-line, delivering Epic Heavy Metal deeply rooted in tradition, but also strong in character and with an admirable passion for the cause.

First conceived by founding member/bassist/guitarist/keyboardist Chris Achelous back in 2011, ACHELOUS (the name of a river deity in Greek mythology) was originally intended as a solo-project within the field of extreme/atmospheric Metal. As such, Chris released two demo recordings on his own, bearing the titles “A Moment of Silence…” (2011) and “Al Iskandar” (2012 – not to be confused with 2014’s equally eponymously titled third demo), before hooking up with his long-standing friend Chris Kappas, who many of you will remember as the voice of the legendary Greek Epic Heavy Metal band REFLECTION. Together, they staked out the future for the band as we know it today.

With three new tracks composed by the duo, ACHELOUS entered the studio in co-operation with Theodosis Charakopis (handling production, drum programming and acoustic guitars) to finalize the band’s third demo, also bearing the name “Al Iskandar” (the oriental expression for Alexander the Great). Pressed in a limited edition of 500 copies and originally distributed for free by the band members, “Al Iskandar” witnessed a rebirth of ACHELOUS as a true Epic Heavy Metal act. It maintained the qualities and stylistic traits of the 1980s, to which was applied a unique approach to songwriting and melodic syntax that establish a strong link between music and conceptual themes. This is perfectly embodied in the monumental title-track that, despite a relatively lo-fi production, strikes down in full force while at the same time establishing the monumental atmosphere and long, winding song structuring many has come to except of an Epic Heavy Metal band. And let’s not forget to mention that, just like many underground cult releases of the past, “Al Iskandar” possess a certain honesty and charm that more well-established and resource-heavy bands have a hard time replicating. It wouldn’t be outrageous to draw a parallel here to “Blood on Ice”-era BATHORY. Just listen to the final, acoustically-driven track “Pagan Child” (featuring session vocals of Irene Sahtouri) which in more than one way recalls Quorthon’s musings in “Man of Iron”.

By the time of 2015’s follow-up, four-track EP “The Cold Winds of Olympus” (once again limited to 500 copies), some significant changes had taken place in the ACHELOUS camp. First of all, a third member had been added in the form of Stelios Avgouleas (guitars), previously known from the Hellenic HM cult act CRUSADE OF STEEL. Along with the trio, the “Cold Winds…” sessions also featured guest/session appearances by REFLECTION’s Iraklis Loukakis (keyboards) and Stathis Pavlantis (guitars). The latter also contributed to the production of the EP at Music House Studios (Piraeus), giving the band’s sound a significant boost. The afore-mentioned changes were also reflected in the actual song material, making for an intriguing follow-up to “Al Iskandar”. In addition to the more intricate guitar lines and Chris K.’s improved vocal performance, there’s a greater versality between tracks, ranging from the band’s trademark BATHORY-like Epic-ness (“The Cold Winds of Olympus”) over catchy, double-bass scorchers (“Myrmidons”) to more anthemic, almost BLUE ÖYSTER CULT-styled melodic material (“Guardians of the Light”).

With two solid and highly promising self-releases under their belt, the logical now would be for ACHELOUS to become a “proper” full-lineup band ready to take their music to the stage as well as reaching out to a wider audience. A big step, naturally, and in the case of ACHELOUS apparently littered with more than a few obstacles. However, when the band’s debut full-length album finally arrived in 2018, it was well-worth the wait for the bands (and surely the hard work for the band, one would like to think). After an alleged visit at the legendary Vergina tombs (approximately 7-8 kilometers to the west of Thessaloniki) some years earlier, Chris A. had been struck with an epiphany to make a concept album dedicated to the greatest military campaigner in world history, Alexander the Great.

The album, aptly entitled “Macedon” (2018) – once again recorded with Stathis Pavlantis at The Music House Studio and released on the domestic MetalFighters label – was a clear sign of the band living up to their expectations. Despite experiencing serious draw-backs during the recording session, primarily related to changes in the lineup, “Macedon” bustles with confidence and stamina. With only Chris A. and Chris K. remaining from the previous lineup, the setting was completed with the arrival of guitarist duo George Mavrommatis (DESTINY DENIED) and Haris Dinos (DECEMBERANCE) along with veteran drummer John Roussis (OBDUKTION, MINUTEUM). In terms of songwriting and style, “Macedon” comes across as a slightly more homogenous affair than its mercurial predecessor “The Cold Winds of Olympus”, but also more focused and thematically coherent. Each track fills its purpose bringing the storyline forward and the band deserve praise for the careful and dynamic sequencing of the song material, with the album reaching a final climax with the reappearance of their by-now classic composition “Al Iskandar” towards the end, before winding down with the solemn instrumental “Legends Never Die”. Initially released on CD, the album honored a limited-edition vinyl release as well in 2019.

With “Macedon” receiving more or less unanimous praise throughout the underground and beyond, ACHELOUS proceeded to promote their debut album through a string of live performances. Among the celebrated live gigs should be mentioned their appearance at the annual Malta Doom Festival along with their brethren-band REFLECTION and a host of international acts such as ANCIENT RITES, DEMON and THE SKULL. Parallel to the gigging business, preparations also began for a second full-length album under the working title “The Icewind Chronicles”, once again a conceptual work dealing with the “Icewind Dale” fantasy novel series. Before its release however, the band decided to celebrate their ten years of existence with yet another EP, entitled “Northern Winds” (2021), featuring their newest member addition in Vicky Demertzi, replacing Haris Dinos on guitars. This five-tracker featured one freshly composed song (the title track) pretty much in the vein of the “Macedon” material, along with a superior re-recording of the old 2014 demo track “The River God” and finally three spirited live uptakes of some of the band’s most anthemic moments so far (“Macedon”, “Myrmidons” and “Warriors with Wings”) recorded during their 2018 Malta Doom Festival appearance and a 2019 gig with BATTLEROAR at Kyttaro club.

With their second album scheduled for release in early 2022 on No Remorse Records, things are looking bright for ACHELOUS, which also means that this humble biography will most probably see another update in the near future!

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