When we think about a genre as extreme as Black Metal, we usually think of Scandinavian bands. And we think of Scandinavian bands, I'm sure we immediately name Swedish bands such as WATAIN and DARK FUNERAL or Norwegian bands like IMMORTAL and MAYHEM. But please, we can't forget about Finnish Black Metal bands like AEGRUS! AEGRUS is a Finnish Black Metal that has been around for nearly 2 decades, since 2005. They just released their fourth full-length album "Invoking the Abysmal Night" on October 27th, through the French Extreme Metal record label Osmose Productions. Before this, the blasphemous group from Kouvola released "Devotion for the Devil" in 2015, "Thy Numinous Darkness" in 2017, and "In Manus Satanus" in 2019. Up until I heard about their new album, I had never heard of AEGRUS, so I listened to their previous album "In Manus Satanus." I was so impressed with it that I couldn't wait to try the new album, and I am so glad that I did.
We get straight to the unholy point with the first track/title track, with excellent tremolo picking from the guitarists, as well as vibrating blast beats from the drummer. The opening track is fast and aggressive, like all Black Metal should be. AEGRUS slows down to a mid-tempo for the first half of the following song "Followers of the False Prophets." In the second half, the Finnish men speed it up again with their blast beats and distorted, slightly melodic guitar riffs. Through it all, they unabashedly fire shots at all three monotheistic religions: Islam, Christianity, and Judaism. "Through Devil's Breath" opens with a shriek that could have only come from Lucifer himself, and the song is a rapid 3 minutes and 45 seconds of pure blasphemy. There's a more prominent Thrash Metal rhythm to this song, particularly due to the skank beats used by the drummer in addition to his relentless double bass. On "Temple of Ardent Worship," you'll hear some growling backing vocals that are reminiscent of Death Metal, adding to the apocalyptic vibe that the entire album gives, all while the lead vocalist gives AEGRUS's collective reverence to the Devil and death. The fourth track winds down with a fusion of constant blast beating and tremolo picking to bring the first half of "Invoking the Abysmal Night" to an end.
The second half of the album consists of a couple of lengthier tracks, but with a little patience, you'll be able to appreciate them as much as the shorter tracks from the first half. We then come to "Nocturnal Rites of Faust" at slightly over 7 minutes. AEGRUS uses more Death Metal-style backing vocals similar to "Temple of Ardent Worship," but this time, they give an eerie echo in the background of the evil Black Metal. In the middle of this fifth track, the band briefly goes much slower than they've ever gone on the album. I wasn't too sure about that dramatic drop in tempo, but the band quickly accelerated things again to bring the song to a heavy close. "Those Who Hide From the Light" is a little more mid-tempo and gives off more misanthropic, despising vibes from the lyrics, but the vocalist still quite literally shrieks loud and clear 'hail Satan.' You know, just in case there was any doubt to whom AEGRUS offers their devotion. Finally comes the longest track: the album's closer "Where the Forest Emanates Death." It opens with a sole guitar riff and slowly builds up to heavy, groovy pace with the riffs and drumming, before the lead vocalist emits a haunting scream. This song is a bit more experimental and creative, as it includes more quieter moments and clean, haunting whispers. AEGRUS does not mention Satan by any of his names in their lyrics, unlike in the previous tracks, but they still focus on their recurring theme of death. Clearly, they don't need the Devil to bring "Invoking the Abysmal Night" to a satisfactory end.
There is so much that I enjoyed from AEGRUS's fourth full-length record. The frequent blast beats, extremely fast guitar riffs, and mixture of high-pitched shrieking and guttural growling vocals were everything to me, as a fan of Scandinavian Black Metal. The Finnish band also adds heavy layers of blasphemy with their usual lyrical themes of misanthropy, Satanism, and death. In just 40-1/2 minutes--not including my listening to the third album "In Manus Satanus"--AEGRUS have already become of my personal favorite Black Metal bands. Please, if Satanic Black Metal doesn't easily offend you, listen to "Invoking the Abysmal Night" because it is nowhere near abysmal!
Rating: 9.5/10
Comments