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Bythos hail from Finland and consist of members of well-known black metal acts such as Behexen and Horna. Chtonic Gates Unveiled is their second full-length and comes four years after The Womb of Zero. Bythos play a melancholic and melodic brand of black metal that ranges from slower songs with thick, grinding riffs such as opener "Divine Endless Night (Part I)", "Thoughtless Light" and "Gates of Apostasy (Part II), or more up-tempo songs containing wrathful tremolo riffing, such as on "Wolves of Hades" and "Hidden Heart of Darkness." Aside from similarities with their other projects, this reminds me a great deal of Satanist-era Behemoth, with crisp, heavy riffs that are easy to make out, ear-catching but slightly complex song structures and roaring vocals. There are some really great songs on here, including the mentioned "Wolves of Hades" and "Ancient Kings Arise," and while not all are as memorable, there is enough quality here for a devlishly good time.