Aethyrick - Death Is Absent

Aethyrick is a black metal band from Finland, who formed in 2016.  Their latest release, “Death Is Absent,” is their fifth full-length album; they have also released two demos, two eps, and will soon release a new split album with Marras (which I will try to review at a later time).

One of the many reasons I love to review is that I get exposed to so many bands I’ve never heard before.  Aethyrick is one such band and I will definitely be going back to devour the rest of their albums.  Their music captures the raw energy of black metal but incorporated into this fury is a captivating sense of melody and sprawling songwriting.   The atmospheric parts are still very dark, the band is keen on using even the most melodic moments to drive forward that old school sound.

The songs sound familiar in context from where their influences arise but it’s also clear the band has their own sound and style.  I can definitely hear the passion for their music—these songs are all interesting and engaging.  Each one sounds different but they all fit into the greater whole.  

Production wise, it captures the abrasiveness in the riffs, drums, and vocals but it has enough dynamics to also capture the songs at their most epic points.  That’s great because the album has a lot of catchy moments. But, with all that being said, it has a certain hint of warmness to the sound that’s hard to explain. 

The band is at their best when they combine light and darkness  together in a perfect melding, such as on the opening song, “The Fire That Sires The Sun.” The band rages forth like a river with subtle keys adding an important but delicate touch to the song.  That’s really what t his album is all about too–finding ways to greet the darkness with a type of light.  After all, one cannot exist without the other, right?   Why should they be enemies and fight?  The band explores, and finds, the common ground between the two.

But just because a band, especially a blackened one, uses melody doesn’t mean the songs are jaunty or happy.  Case in point is “Beyond All Death,” which is tinged in delicious bleak sorrow.  But it’s still presented with a wide breath of epic measure, like facing something majestic yet knowing there is always the presence of danger beyond each nook and cranny.  The vocal cadence is catchy and emotional, used as an abrasive counterpoint.   After the three minute mark, the drums pour on a wonderful bouncing rhythm with clean guitar backing it up.  The screams riding on top of this wave is fantastic and the whole segment in a welcome little twist.  It’s the little details like this that make the album standout. 

The final song is “Only Junipers Grow On My Grave,” and it’s gripping from the beginning.  I love the bass in the beginning that carries the song—bass should take center stage in black metal more often!  The potent, stark drumming is like lighting streaking across the stormy skies the guitars are building up.  The atmosphere across the song is unique—it’s moody but with a refined, regal quality to it. The lead guitar is oftentimes a beautiful serenade against this mood even beauty hides a darkness.

“Death Is Absent,” is an album that hit me hard and left an impression on me.  As far as melodic black metal goes, I don’t think anything else this year will match it.  This is a smartly written album by a band who are clearly masters of their craft.  Highly recommended.