Review: Zaratus – Those Who Dwell Beyond

Band: Zaratus
Album: Those Who Dwell Beyond
Genre: Black Metal
Country: Greece
Label: Ván Records
Released: October 2025

Introduction

Hellenic black metal vocalist legend Stefan Necroabyssios with his side project Zaratus releases an epic sophomore set, Those Who Dwell Beyond.

Those Who Dwell Beyond

Tracklist:

1. Transition into the Blasphemic Infinity
2. Damned by the Seven Abysses
3. Flesh of the Demented Ascendant
4. Creation of the Tyrannical God
5. Foreshadowing the Realm of Loathing
6. Reciting the Chants of Agony
7. Incantation of Pervert Torment
8. Blood Rituals of the Subsequent Apotheosis

When it comes to Hellenic symphonic black metal, we think of epic sounds with dark atmosphere reminiscent of Hades, driving guitar riffs coupled with ferocious blast beats, Gregorian like chanting and string orchestras blending the epic proportions of any of these bands crafting the sound. Stefan Necroabyssios is no stranger to the Hellenic scene as he is associated with bands like Varathon, Kawir, and countless other side projects in his homeland of Greece. Zaratus’ sophomore release, Those Who Dwell Beyond is the epitome of all these sounds magically crafted by Bill El along with Necroabyssios providing effective vocal effects and atmosphere to complete this hellish spiral to Hades.

There was a certain mysticism surrounding this release and it made it perfect to just sit back and enjoy the story being told as it is a concept of life after death and those lost lives will not be saved. The first track is a slow buildup of demise, which explodes into other songs with much faster tempos and fluid riff changes married along with devilish laughs and chants. Some of the tracks on this album carries melancholic riffs with melancholic atmospheric sounds of piano, violins, and Necroabyssios’ demonic effect vocal style of storytelling.

Conclusion

It may have been four years since Zaratus’ last release, but it was a well-deserved wait for Those Who Dwell Beyond. If Necroabyssios can consistently release albums in this fashion, then this band will go down in the Hellenic black metal scene as one of the many influences for bands who wish to inherit this style for years to come.

BMZ Rating: 8 out of 10

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