ANASARCA “Achlys” CD

After a nine-year release drought, the esteemed German old-school death metal quartet ANASARCA has returned from obscurity with their latest, long-awaited album, “Achlys.”

“Achlys” is the band’s most brutal, intense, and emotional release to date. Musically, the album remains grounded in technical, melodic, and brutal death metal, featuring ANASARCA’s signature riffing, while also being another concept album—this time dedicated to grief. The lyrics are based on accounts of those who have lost loved ones, reflecting both the band members’ personal experiences and the losses within the broader metal community.

ANASARCA was formed in 1995 by drummer Heiner and guitarist and vocalist Mike (ex-Vomiting Corpses). Shortly after forming, the band recorded the demo “Condemned Truth,” followed by “Godmachine” (1996), which led to a contract with Repulse Records. Their debut album, Godmachine, was released in 1998 and is still considered a classic of German death metal by many fans.

After further lineup changes, the band released their second album, Moribund, in 2001 on Mighty Music. The album was distinguished by its unique lyrical concept—all lyrics came from individuals on death row, which earned the band considerable acclaim and attention within the scene. In 2004, they released another concept album, Dying, again on Mighty Music, whose lyrics were based on the accounts of terminally ill individuals.

After a long period of silence and further lineup changes, the band returned with renewed energy. The album Survival Mode, released in 2017 on Sevared Records, featured guest vocals from Kam Lee (Massacre). Lyrically, the album focused on human behavior in critical situations and the struggle for survival.

ANASARCA’s fifth full-length album, ACHLYS, was recorded between February and July 2025 at Wretched Noise Studio in Oldenburg, Germany. The material was mixed by Daniel Meinzer and mastered by Dennis Israel (Scour, Amon Amarth, Primordial, Asphyx, Legion of the Damned). All artwork for the album, including the cover, was created by the band’s in-house artist, Robert Sindermann (Havoc, Avulsed, Manticora, Beyond Twilight).

For fans of EDGE OF SANITY, SUFFOCATION, GOREFEST, OBITUARY, and GRAVE