Ελληνικά
Genre: Blackened Death Metal
Country: Norway
Label: Agonia Records
Year: 2023
Aeternus (Aeternus is the Latin word for ‘eternal’ or ‘neverending’, I always wanted to share this ‘knowledge’ I have since high school years!! The other one is I know what ‘non serviam’ means hahaha), the Norwegians Forefathers of the Dark Metal genre (formed in Bergen, Norway back in 1993) return with their anticipated 9th studio album entitled ‘Philosopher’, the successor to highly acclaimed ‘Heathen’ after 5 years of silence. The band featuring except their founder Ares (on guitars and vocals), past and present members of Gorgoroth, Immortal (live) and Gaahls Wyrd, with Gorm on guitar, Eld on bass and Phobos on drums, are no strangers to trve devotees of Anti-Christianity meets Warfare meets Mysticism meets Nature worshipping Blackened Death Metal. Once again they deliver a gem of the genre. Recorded, produced & mixed by the band & Herbrand Larsen at Conclave & Earshot Studio (Immortal, Enslaved) and mastered by Lawrence Mackrory at Rorysound Studio (Bloodbath, Vomitory, the new album has these ‘tricks’ Aeternus use in order to keep their listeners interest undiminished in every song and in every album; some melodic parts here and there, many shifts in tempo, dynamics and mood, yet while there are all here once again they are creating a result that doesn’t lose any of Aeternus characteristic raw power, darkness and brutality and overall can’t meet in any moment with predictability. The drumming by Phobos is precise and accurate, Gorm’s riffs are vital and uplifting and Ares performance totally top notch (and old school) while I feel that they the band have focused more on atmosphere as there is a haunting feeling that follows you during the listening of the record and as the album spins. Of course there are some highlights that stick to your mind such as ‘Void Of Venom’ with the acoustic guitar opening, ‘Carving The Pristine Anomie’ and ‘Existentialist Hunter’ with its black metal barrage of riffs. The austere and beautiful cover artwork, so as the illustrations and layout are designed by Mar.A. (Cultes Des Ghoules, Deus Mortem). A must buy for fans of Immortal, Enslaved, Behemoth, Gehenna, Runemagick, Abigor. A release that honors the band’s back catalogue and course through all these years.
