Words by: dothefknreview
Out Now, Independent
Strap in, kids – Acrolysis are back with Intoxicator, a nearly hour long slab of heavy metal that punches harder than a schooner-fuelled brawl outside the Lansdowne at 2 am. This sophomore effort sees the Sydney trio dig deeper than ever, experimenting with sounds and themes that’ll rattle your brain and kick you right in the introspection.
Musically, the band’s taken their riff and groove heavy backbone and injected it with weird shit – pianos, arpeggiators, even a bloody orchestra. Title track Intoxicator blends their trademark heaviness with piano harmonies that feel equal parts elegant and unhinged, like Beethoven if he grew up on Slayer and tinnies.
Closer Phase 153 is an instrumental shred fest orgy, featuring six guest guitarists – because apparently more solos was the only answer. Lyrically, it’s less ‘burn the system‘ and more ‘look in the fkn mirror, mate‘. Where 2023’s Revolution was outwardly furious, Intoxicator turns that anger inward.
Tracks like The Inevitable and Dead Man’s Hand dive into regret, consequence, and the fucked-up gamble of being human. It’s thoughtful, but still heavy enough to make your Nan soil herself.
Konstantine Ana’s vocals go from a feral snarl to an introspective croon, while Phil McDermott and Sebastian Strangio hold it all down tighter than a pair of Bonds undies three sizes too small.
Intoxicator is Acrolysis levelling up – heavier, smarter, and just weird enough to keep things interesting. It’s not a complete reinvention, but it’s definitely not the same old shit. If Revolution was the angry pub punch-on, this is the hungover Sunday morning where you stare at the ceiling and reckon maybe you are the problem.
Out now on all the usual digital platforms. Chuck it on, crack a tin, and let the existential crisis begin.
