Aftoktonia has become a prolific project this year, paying homage straight from the Norwegian underground and paying absolute tribute to the Norwegian scene of the 90s, with a touch of bands like Paysage d'Hiver. Sarkhildr, the band behind this band, has already released five albums this year, including two full-lengths. Today, however, I'll focus on the split with the equally fresh Greek outfit Hoffnungslos, who have released only an EP, a single, and the split album we'll be discussing today. Unspoken Psalms Carved in Shadows is a short shot straight from the cold basements of Norway and the ruined ancient monuments of the south. Hoffnungslos plays three songs on this split, including one shorter, more of an intro, while Aftoktonia plays only two, slightly longer than their predecessor.

The Greek attack begins with a keyboard-driven intro that lasts over two minutes, immediately establishing a dark and symphonic atmosphere. This lays the perfect foundation for the songs that follow. As the intro fades into the abyss of darkness, the first full-fledged track, Thorns of the Black Flame, unfolds. From the very beginning, it's clear that this isn't a sweet song. Harris Leontiou, who also plays in the band Inner Darkness under the Polish pseudonym "Wróg," spews enormous amounts of venom and hatred, which perfectly cover the fast, simple black metal riffs. While it's no American discovery, this kind of playing always soothes the dark heart. Fast-paced and with a lot of devilry. The drums also continue to use mostly simple motifs, but they blend very well with the rest. The whole thing is cohesive, without any strange experiments or sidetracks. Hoffnungslos also slows down with his guitars, which certainly adds to the catchiness.

After 10 minutes of Greece, we're transported from the warm south to the sultry mountains of Norway. Aftoktonia, while striking a similar style of playing, immediately reveals a much dirtier sound, lending a distinctive atmosphere. While Sarkhildr creates a tense and acerbic atmosphere, they still retain a wealth of melodic elements and incredible riffs that beg to be looped. Vocally and guitar-wise, they don't stray too far from the band's predecessor, creating a perfect blend. It's tight, but also doesn't sound identical, creating a perfectly dark synergy between the two acts.

In summary, Unspoken Psalms Carved in Shadows is certainly not something you've never heard before, but it's definitely worth a listen, considering the album's short length. It certainly won't tire you out, or rather, it definitely will, considering the number of excellent motifs used here. Some are calmer, some somber, some fast, and some monumental, like the towers of the castle visible on the cover. The entire album is available under the Underworld Echoes Records banner.