The Pitch: "Eigengrau is the fourth studio release from Orchestral/Death/Doom Metal band Rise of Avernus, and without doubt their heaviest and darkest release thus far. mixed and mastered by Logan Mader (Fear Factory, Gojira), artwork by Seth Siron Anton." FFO: Moonspell, Carach Angren, Doomed
What I Like: Eigengrau, roughly translating to "intrinsically gray," is suited well to its title. It is a moody, morose album filled with gothic atmosphere, doomy guitars, and ominous vocals. Enormous orchestral arrangments a la Septicflesh collide with the more dismal aesthetic of Katatonia. Vocals and arrangements alike have a penchant for the dramatic as with Carach Angren, but with more variety. There are your standard death and doom vocals, but also some melodic deliveries as heard early in the album. And unlike other popular symphonic bands with death metal elements like Fleshgod Apolcalypse, Rise of Avernus take plenty of detours into a slower, more funeral-driven spaces filled with gorgeously haunting piano.
Critiques: You know me, I live for dynamics and variation, but I also prefer my music fast and hard as often as possible. Eigengrau gets gothic a little too often for my taste, even if they do make it quite lovely.
The Verdict: Eigengrau is a winding labyrinth filled with grace and texture. It a must listen for fans of symphonic doom metal; and for those more inclined toward their death metal elements, still a worthy experience. Check it out right now.
Flight's Fav's: Ad Infinitum, Terminus, Mimicry
-Review by FlightOfIcarus
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