Pantheïst – Uncanny Times

Pantheïst
Uncanny Times
Label: Argonauta Records
Out: 30^th October 2026
Playing time: 01:04:31

Pantheïst were founded in 2000. Since then, they have made a name for themselves in the Atmospheric and Funeral Doom genres. Originally formed in Antwerp, Belgium, the band now has an international line-up. Of the original line-up, it appears that only keyboardist and vocalist Kostas Panagiotou remains. Six studio albums have been released to date. Pantheïst have performed live in fifteen countries, including alongside bands such as Tiamat, Arcturus, Saturnus, Esoteric, Skepticism, While Heaven Wept, Mourning Beloveth, Evoken and The Ruins of Beverast. Their seventh studio album, ‘Uncanny Times’, is due for release in October.

Amidst the keyboard and guitar sounds at the start of ‘The Final Journey’, a hissing noise can be heard. Then the drums and guitar kick in with power but calm. Sacred-sounding keyboards round off the sound before Linda Dumitru’s ethereal vocals set in. The distorted bass chords further heighten the sombre atmosphere. Linda’s vocals then soar into the high soprano register, which she sings with great clarity. This is followed later by a guitar solo and an electric piano solo. Towards the end, there are angry growls (Kostas Panagiotou). ‘Laughing Falcon’ kicks off straight away with growls, underpinned by double-bass rhythms. Another bass solo follows later on. Linda’s soprano vocals are accompanied by sacred organ sounds. The song is a little faster overall. Sacred sounds introduce ‘Kuebiko’. Linda Dumitru’s vocals are initially set a little lower and also sound more rock-oriented. The singer has an impressive vocal range. She soars to pitches that reach the pain threshold of my ears. Nevertheless, her vocals are very cleanly pitched. This is repeatedly contrasted by the nasty growls of Kostas Panagiotou. Next comes by far the shortest track on the album – the instrumental and melodic interlude ‘Entropy’ lasts not even four minutes. ‘Ithaca Out Of Sight’ is introduced calmly, and indeed almost contemplatively, by (synth) strings and clear organ sounds.It is only after two minutes that heavy drumming and guitar rhythms kick in, though without picking up the tempo. Then the high soprano vocals resound once more. Kostas Panagiotou’s vocals, too, are calm and, at first, free of growls. A beautiful and powerful guitar melody is rhythmically underpinned by the drums. Linda trills once more. And Kostas literally growls his heart out. The longest track, ‘Requiem For Your World’, which runs for just more than sixteen minutes, begins with a piano introduction. This is later followed by powerful riffs and solemn organ sounds. Linda Dumitru’s vocals once again reach the highest registers, and at times she adds coloratura. At these pitches and a slightly higher volume, even the glasses in the cupboard might shatter.

The slow pace of Funeral Doom isn’t fully exploited on ‘Uncanny Times’; instead, the focus is on the vocal soundscapes, particularly those of singer Linda Dumitru. Musically, there’s plenty of variety. Pantheïst have released a very good Doom album here, one that impresses with its composition. Anyone who has found Funeral Doom extremely boring and monotonous up to now should give this album a listen.

Pantheïst- The Final Journey: https://youtu.be/vPtUlZBxOnQ?si=UJHvqAXB7RFYO2fM

Lineup:

Atanas Kyurkchiev – Guitar
Fanel Lefterache – Drums
Kostas Panagiotou – Keyboards, Vocals
Linda Dumitru – Vocals
Matt Strangis – Bass

Track list:

• The Final Journey
• Laughing Falcon
• Kuebiko
• Entropy
• Ithaca Out Of Sight
• Requiem For Your World