Mycelium Signal #16: “The Abyssal Door” With Naas Alcameth of AKHLYS

2024-07-21

In this episode, we're thrilled to have the maestro of occult black metal, Naas Alcameth, return to the podcast. He hails from the United States and is a renowned multi-instrumentalist and vocalist, known for his work with Akhlys, Aoratos, Bestia Arcana, and Nightbringer. In our conversation, we delve deep into a myriad of compelling topics, including: Overview of the new album "House of the Black Geminus," its technical details, and a track-by-track analysis, including the album’s protagonist's journey through alchemical stages.

In our conversation, we delve deep into a myriad of compelling topics, including:

Overview of the new album "House of the Black Geminus," its technical details, and a track-by-track analysis, including the album’s protagonist's journey through alchemical stages.
Naas’ collaboration with the author and Mycelium Signal guest Richard Gavin on the lyrics of the track “Through the Abyssal Door.”
Naas’ and Konstantin’s recurring dreams about liminal ‘shadow houses and cottages’ embodying the dreadful aspect of the Numinous.
Naas' insights on the Nigredo phase and overcoming creative blocks.
The Daimon as a ruthless muse for the artist and the psychological/neurological impacts of being a vessel to it.
Naas' harrowing childhood experiences with parasomnia, such as sleep paralysis, and their influence on his art.
Why trauma-inducing extreme liminal dread experienced in youth can sometimes transform into an ongoing artistic obsession later in life.
Connection to Jung’s experience with encountering a ‘flood of spirits,’ which turned into the mystical text "Septem Sermones ad Mortuos."
Konstantin’s dream of a new ritual space at the Pit, linking to the ancient Greek temple for necromancy, the Nekromanteion.
Naas' thoughts on the archetypal Trickster’s mask and what lies behind it.
Peter Kingsley’s books “Catafalque” and “Dark Places of Wisdom.”

To round off the episode, our previous guest, Dr. Martin Locker, graces us with a visionary epiphany based on the track "Maze of Phobetor" from our collective, Tuonen Portti (The Netherworld Gate).

Watch the episode in Youtube: https://youtu.be/Agbzoq5Czoo

Episode page including show notes:
https://tuonenportti.fi/mycelium-signal-16-the-abyssal-door-with-naas-alcameth-of-akhlys/

AKHLYS:

Aklys on Encyclopedia Metallum: https://www.metal-archives.com/bands/Akhlys/3540395486

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/akhlys_official/

House of the Black Geminus album on Bandcamp

Nightbringer on Bandcamp: https://nightbringer.bandcamp.com

Aoratos on Bandcamp: https://aoratos.bandcamp.com/album/gods-without-name

RABBIT HOLES:
Konstantin’s chthonic Pit project: https://tuonenportti.fi/the-pit/

CREDITS:

Host: Konstantin Tuonihovi

Sound editing: Konstantin Tuonihovi