A few years ago, I came across an Italian band that brought the worlds of death and folk metal together in ways that I never dared to imagine: Ade. Sure, many people think Ex Deo when that description is thrown around, but it’s Ade that truly opened my eyes to this brand new world. Follow that up with Al-Namrood, Whispered, Arallu, and more, I’ve become enamored with this special take that I truly can’t get enough of and always look for. Coming from one of my favorite labels comes Akhenaten’s third album that brings this niche style to life beautifully!

Much like Al-Namrood, Akhenaten takes the style and blends it with a Middle-Eastern, specifically Mesopotamia here, influence. That then allows the music overall to have a very special flavor about it, and the whole of “Golden Serpent God” is easily one of the best examples of such that I’ve seen as it’s pulled off with masterful excellence as well as a brilliant balance between brutal intense metal and intoxicating instruments of clear Middle-Eastern influence. Akhenaten are far from newbies at this craft with “Golden Serpent God” being their third full-length, and it really shows in these eleven tracks from stellar pacing to metal that could be perfect for the beginning of the Mesopotamian universe to a battle on an unprecedented scale to a dazzling display of the titular deity and transporting through a portal gifted to us via the fantastic use of traditional instruments. It all comes together so that listeners can get a breather from the shining glory that is the Golden Serpent God itself only just before melting your skin right off from the golden light and thus bringing you to your knees to bow.

Akhenaten truly knew what they were doing with “Golden Serpent God” as every moment is absolute glory and mastery over such a niche sound that it’s impossible to not eat right up and bask in the splendor that this group has conjured. I’ve long been a fan of this niche sound as I’ve said, and Akhenaten has without a doubt made one of the best albums of it that I’ve had the pleasure of kneeling before.

LISTEN to “Golden Serpent God” on Bandcamp here.

LIKE Akhenaten on Facebook here.