Artist: Aeternus
Label: Candlelight Records
Release Date: 5/20/03
|
|
Title: A Darker Monument Artist: Aeternus Label: Candlelight Records Release Date: 5/20/03 |
Judgment Committee Reviews | Rating |
|
3 | ||
|
3 | ||
|
4 | ||
|
|
Go to Reader Reviews | ||
Abyss's Review:
It would be easy to dismiss Aeternus' latest disc as a competent, but generic, slab of death metal. This album didn't really start making an impression on me until I was three listens into it. I'm still not completely convinced that it's won me over, but I really dig parts of it, and the parts that don't really move me aren't bad or anything, just not remarkable.
"While the songwriting isn't very complete, there is always at least one killer thing right around the corner." While the promotional material seems to want to push the black metal tag down my throat, I just don't hear it. To me it's pretty straight up death with a European vibe, coming somewhere between Cemetery and Entombed. That analogy will fall apart under scrutiny, but that's how I'm hearing it right now.
My favorite aspect to this record is their overall sound. While the songwriting isn't very complete, there is always at least one killer thing right around the corner. The little lead fills and bridges are brilliant, its just unfortunate that the verse riffs are generally blasé. The album opens with my favorite tracks on the album "Sword of the Earth" and "Slavestate". The first track just gets thing lumbering along with solid riffing and deep, gut wrenching vocals, and the latter song hits as more urban sounding, with lead throat Ares' vocals almost mimicking a heavier Rob Zombie.
"Since this band has been around for awhile, I find the little shortcomings a little too frustrating." If this was a debut album I'd be ecstatic over what might be coming up next. Since this band has been around for awhile, however, I find the little shortcomings a little too frustrating. As I said, this record has some brilliant stuff going on, but as a whole I'm not sure how successful it is. I like the production, which strikes me as smooth, but understated and not even remotely slick.
End result is that I know I'll be listing to this one in the weeks to come, the high points will see to that. However, I have a strange feeling each time I do listen to it, I'll get the feeling that it could have been done even better. One word review: (Flashes of) Brilliance.
Death's Review:
Nokturnal Art Productions (Candlelight in the U.S.) brings us A Darker Moment, its first Aeternus release, as the band comes over from Holland's Hammerheart Records. Recorded at Grieghallen Studios in Bergen, Norway, and produced by Pytten (Emperor, Norway, Enslaved), the basic elements of a Norwegian black metal pedigree are present, but simply focusing on those connections/leanings would leave the reader with a slanted perception. Musically, there is as much death metal at play here as there is black - the vocals are often growled, not screamed, and the drums and riffs groove at times, with pummeling yet headbang-worthy riffs. The band's website defines the band's style as "Dark Metal," i.e., "Dark Metal defined in the vein of Aeturnus is music looked upon as Dark in an atmospheric and emotional way. Brutal, fast and extreme music mixed with mid-paced, slow and beautiful, melodic music." That pretty much sums it up I guess - take that for what you will.
"I do like some of the riffs, and think that this band will have something to offer in the live setting. Otherwise, it not totally capturing my interest or attention."
Aeternus is made up of four members, but revolves around guitarist/founder Ares. His playing is excellent (killer solos, dude!), as are the other instruments. I have to admit that I am not too into the vocalist, especially the style of vocals heard on track two, "Slavestate". I do like some of the riffs, and think that this band will have something to offer in the live setting. Otherwise, it not totally capturing my interest or attention. When I listen closely, I hear many parts that sound great. But overall, with so much else out there right now, I am not clamoring to put this one back in my player. I think some of you will really like this, and I think my opinions are probably mostly a matter of personal taste. Aeternus are original in the sense that they aren't really copying anyone else's style, but nevertheless, they still strike me as a bit average in the currently oversaturated metal scene. Bottom line? Not really my thing - interesting at times, but overall rather mediocre.
"Bottom line? Not really my thing - interesting at times, but overall rather mediocre."
Hel's Review:
Favorite track: "Slavestate"
"The guitar work is extremely high quality and works in perfect conjunction to establish this new record as a behemoth vehicle which can roll over and crush everything in its path." With A Darker Monument, Aeternus have unleashed an album that defies simple categorization. Their reputation as a black metal band precedes them, however, there are few black metal elements to be found on the album as a whole. Instead, we predominately find a combination of touches of gloom and doom, mixed with heavy doses of death.
The drums are by far my favorite part of this album, relentlessly pummeling throughout, with occasional bursts of inhuman double bass. A close second is the vocals, which vary from a standard style death growl to a wonderful evil sounding, deep-throated, almost gothic, style of delivery. The dichotomy is a nice change from the everyday and adds really nice texture and depth to songs. The guitar work is extremely high quality and works in perfect conjunction to establish this new record as a behemoth vehicle which can roll over and crush everything in its path.
"Aeternus have released an unexpected record and A Darker Monument is an intriguing journey well worth taking." Finally, joy of joys, the two things that are always most important in creating a quality album, from my perspective, the songwriting and production, are both stellar. The songs are interesting and well crafted, while the mix allows you to follow each twist and turn along the way. Aeternus have released an unexpected record and A Darker Monument is an intriguing journey well worth taking.
[- Metal Judgment Home -] [- Email Metal Judgment -]
©1999 Metal Judgment. All rights reserved.