Review: “Planetoktonos” by Dephosphorus

Melding together astronomic, esoteric and astral themes with Blackened Death Grind arguably makes Greek quartet Dephosphorus Astrogrind genre pioneers. They’ve been kicking and screaming trapped in space station airlock since 2008, giving us four albums, two splits and an EP in the process. Veterans of many projects, guitarist Thanos Mantas (Sbloccare, Straighthate), vocalist Panos Agoros (Straighthate, Amnis Nihili), drummer John Votsis (Embrace of Thorns, Mentally Defiled) and bassist Kostas Ragiadakos (Decipher, Abyssus), the outfit have long been influenced by science fiction and “Planetoktonos“ is no different. Taking its name from a Greek word coined by the band, roughly translating to “Planetkiller”, their fifth album is largely inspired by The Expanse novel series by James S.A. Corey. A tale in which a near-future universe where humanity has colonized the Solar System but faces the unknown consequences of encountering alien intelligence and technology, it was mindfully forged in the furnace of Ignite Studio (Antimob, Embrace Of Thorns, Chain Cult). Mastered by sonic guru James Plotkin (OLD, Khanate, Conan) and adorned by artwork by Graphic No Jutsu (Planet Of Zeus, Nightrage), the expectation is of cosmic Grindcore and existential vision.

Long song titles have always been part of the way of Dephosphorus and with “Planetoktonos” things are no different but what you might not expect is a Stoner Sludge Metal influenced riff fit for worship and some electronics that build into a darkly epic beast as opening cut “Living in a Metastable Universe” plays out. It does have blast beats in the mid section before returning to the opening celestial patterns, creating a tone setter which feels longer than its three minute duration but fulfils the brief of Astrogrind in weighty style, the gravelly vocals of Agoros a real sandblasting for your eardrums. An equally destructive force “Hunting for Dyson Spheres” begins in eerie, haunting science fiction horror style with programming building atmosphere before bursting into flame. Booming bass and thunderous percussion wraps itself around the chugging riffs like a boa constrictor, choking the life out of the discerning listener in blood curdling fashion. Having threatened to reach Progressive Death Metal territory “Pale Veins” then turns everything on its head with more direct distorted riffage and urgent vocals. Rather than the all out speed of Deathgrind with its short sharp barbed hooks that get under your skin, this one roars from the tar pits of ancient civilizations, soaked in Sludge infused Death Metal and ready to burn.

Dephosphorus do let their sonic abrasions reach fever pitch however with the rampaging “After the Holocaust” a fine example of their forward thinking vision of the sub-genre. A powerhouse of a track with swirling plague winds adding a tasteful nuance, by this point “Planetoktonos“ very much feels like the soundscape to a science fiction horror movie like Pitch Black. It’s what the edge of the seat was made for. “The Triumph of Science and Reason” continues the flow in restless and relentless fashion as the band reach breakneck speed, creating a sonic assault on the senses from which there are no survivors. The frenetic energy of the piece is what makes it a monster, the weighty guitar tone alongside the blood and thunder of the rhythms inflicting maximum damage on the ear drums. As if that wasn’t enough “The Kinetics of a Superintelligence Explosion” hammers home the point like a nail in the coffin, adding gang vocals to the sonic cocktail as it goes off like an improvised explosive device at close quarters. Agoros has a harrowing quality to his vocal performance which is like fuel to the bands instrumental fire, the emotive quality from him in this one adding an almost panic stricken tone.

Ripping, pulling and tearing “Planetoktonos” becomes a monument to misanthropy painted in Deathgrind as the Dephosphorus demonstrate they are a force to be reckoned with. Once again its the nuances that really enhance the listening experience with some dark almost ethereal choral moments elevating the title track to a new realm of existence but never overstepping the mark or drowning anything out. “Calculating Infinity” continues the tirade in explosive fashion with an earworm of a hummable bassline that slaps from here to oblivion before stopping on a dime rather than fading out. That leaves time for “Eternal Bloom” to get inside your head with a sublime longer instrumental introduction before those dry throated raspy vocals rise to the surface for one final time. Votsis provides the covering fire from the behind the drum kit, his performance on this one arguably the finest on the album as the band bring back the gang vocals to lethal effect. All in all a barnstormer of a record with a thought provoking lyrical narrative, this one is one for those who love science fiction horror with a side order of nails [7.5/10]

Track Listing

1. Living in a Metastable Universe
2. Hunting for Dyson Spheres
3. Pale Veins
4. After the Holocaust
5. The Triumph of Science and Reason
6. The Kinetics of a Superintelligence Explosion
7. Planetoktonos
8. Calculating Infinity
9. Eternal Bloom

“Planetoktonos” by Dephosphorus is out 18th July 2025 via 7Degrees Records, Nerve Altar and Selfmadegod Records