Aeonian Sorrow - From The Shadows

Aeonian Sorrow is a doom metal band from both Finnish and Greek origins who formed in 2015. Their latest release, “From The Shadows” is their second EP; they have also released two full-lengths.

I've been a fan since the beginning although this is the first time I have reviewed them. For those unfamiliar, the band mixes a lot of doom styles into their sound, including death, funeral, Melodic, Gothic and even some black metal elements. 

With a runtime of over 30 minutes, “From The Shadows” offers a substantial amount of music with a lot of depth.  This isn’t an EP of short songs, live cuts, or bonus tracks.  This is made up of full songs that are as good as anything else the band has done.

Although certainly consisting of stellar musicians that each deserve praise, the crown jewel of the band is Gogo Melone, whose keys and ever impressive vocals push the band to constant heights.  Alongside the other vocalist, Joel Notkonen, the band presents their ideas with the “beauty and the beast” approach that recalls the heyday of the genre but it sounds fresh and modern, ready for a new generation to discover the power of doom metal.

The song writing in each of the four songs is elegantly woven into a tapestry that is both chaotic and morbidly clam, a constant (but smooth) ebb and flow between the battle of light and dark elements.  The songs could be blazing fast one minute, funeral doom slow the next, or offer a mid paced riff among both vicious and lithe vocals.

The opening of “Harbinger of Ruin,” is gentle, Gothic, and somber before exploding into black metal fury.  Joel’s vocals are great—just raw enough to inject venom into the atmosphere but it’s pulled back in favor of clean instrumentation.  The transitions between distorted and clean elements is where the band truly shines. I love this ‘quiet” part—Gogo’s vocals are ethereal and ghost-like—what a voice she has!  The song slowly builds back up with Taneli and Jukka providing riffs that balance the freakishly heavy with the icy cold touch of a Gothic embrace. 

“Whispers In The Dark,” offers up a dour atmosphere while the guitars gear up to drop down good ol 'funeral doom riffs.  The guitar work is subtle, the two axemen more than adapt at keeping the listener engaged through a variety of tempos.   I really like Joel’s vocals on this one—scary low and gravely.   This is perhaps my favorite song on the album because it’s pure doom: low, slow, and bleak as hell.  What more could I want?  The last minute and a half or so is great, what with the steady beat from the drum and Gogo’s vocals casting their catchy incantations.

“Your Blackened Forest,” is a song that begins quiet but yet it’s loud, a testament that a band doesn’t always have to be abrasive to make its presence known.  The keys are subtle but they heighten the atmosphere in an incredible way with a lot of tension build up.  This song switches back and forth between stripped back moments that showcase Gogo and heavier ones that let Joel cut loose.  Each segment is more gripping than the last, adding a bit of theatrical play to the song.

If “Whispers…” is my favorite on the album then the final song, “Mist of Oblivion,” is right on its heels.  The beginning is stark, tower monolithic doom reaching for dying stars as the universe constantly tumbles between life and death. Achilleas' drums are powerful, his snare hits like lighting in the dark that illuminate everything around.  Sinister riffs, a lumbering, stalking tempo, and growls from hell round out the experience that make for a compelling final song. 

With “From The Shadows,” Aeonian Sorrow continues to prove why they are so formidable in the doom scene.  They get better with each release and I eagerly (and impatiently) await their next full-length. 

Rating:  Excellent