Gaerea - Unsettling Whispers (EN)
Band: Gaerea (P)
Genre: Black Metal
Label: Transcending
Obscurity Records
Albumtitle: Unsettling Whispers
Duration: 41:46
Release date: 22.06.2018
Well, there's another totally mysterious band that lists
"unknown" as a line-up and names at least three of the four members
via Metal Archives. On the promo photos are four figures on it, but
maybe that's just a trick. Well, at least it seems certain that the
band was founded in 2016 and since then has released an EP called
"Gaerea". This is followed by the debut album, which, according to
the leaflet, turns the Black Metal world upside down. Well, in that
case we would have "White Metal" as a result and that's definitely
not the case here.
It is more likely that the band also
leaves other influences in their sound. However, I do not really
hear something like that, which is not too bad, because the Black
Metal that is offered here is really cool. If one likes Mgła and
Uada, but sometimes yearns for a bit more dirt in the sound, is here
just right. So the Portuguese are blasting razor-fast, repetitive
riffs that are heard in the typically melodious "singsong". This is
particularly great to notice in a blasted song such as "Lifeless
Immortality". Almost-beauty next to violence.
In general, the
pace is kept extremely high. The Blastbeat is mainly normal speed
and is supplemented from time to time by sluggish passages or
Thrash-like outbreaks. The vocals are definetly the distinction to
the above mentioned bands. The singer growls, whispers and screams
his lungs from his throat. This gives the whole thing a really rough
touch and is extremely varied. Listen in into "Catharsis". Here he
first drags himself with nasty shouting, and after about two minutes
he follows the path of the rest album again. In this song the vocals
are really crazy.
The production is crystal clear and
represents every instrument (except the bass) well distinguishable
from the speakers. Thus, the sound does not blur even at high
speeds.
Conclusion:
With Gaerea, the Black Metal scene
gets another great act. I'm not really excited about the mumbo-jumbo
around the whole thing, but it probably just belongs there. The
music is what counts and I can recommend it to everyone with a black
heart. Great album and that's only the debut. Kudos!!!
Rating: 8,5/10
Recommendation: Lifeless Immortality
01. Svn
02. Absent
03. Whispers
04. Lifeless Immortality
05. Extension To Nothingness
06. Cycle Of Decay
07. Catharsis
??? - Vocals
Harborym BM - Guitars
Jorge Marinho - Bass
Nuno - Drums
- Download Review in German
- Download Review in English
Author: Possessed
Translator: Sereisa