Aeternus – Philosopher

Written by on 10-12-2023 at 22:47.

Will you look at this! Norwegian Aeternus is still among us and has been since 1993. Philosopher is, if I am not mistaken, album number nine. Thirty years of activity in the extreme metal scene: you just have to do it! Things like this always make me reminisce about days long gone. I even seem to remember that in the distant past (sometime in 1999) these Norwegians played in Belgium. Even more: in the Biebob, one of the most renowned metal clubs. They ended a metal bashing competition night. The reason why I still remember is that I was on that same stage with one of my own bands that night. I definitely remember frontman Ares. Wasn’t there also a lady, Morrigan, playing bass back then? Some of the details are hard to recall.

Digging deep into my memory, there were not many people in the venue any more when the Norwegians unleashed their black metal on the crowd. At the time Aeternus had released three albums, of which Beyond The Wandering Moon from 1997 impressed me the most. After Shadows Of Old from 2001, their second to last album on Dutch Hammerheart Records, I somewhat lost track of the band. Maybe because the music did not move me that much any more.

These gentlemen have become wiser since then. Which is why it is very fitting that they chose to name their ninth work simply Philosopher. The song titles contain a lot of brain teasers, but all has its place. Nowadays the black metal of the band is infused with dark metal influences. What I remember about this band is that Mr Ares has always displayed a wonderful vocal palette, but mainly relies on deeper guttural sounds. The listener is confronted with it again for the first time on the opening track Existentialist Hunter. A song that couldn’t be more typical Aeternus. Listen to those narrative riffs, those breaks and the cadence that pushes the song to lonely heights. In this song mainly Phobos’ fast footwork stands out, perfectly complementing those grunting vocals and plucky bass parts.

This impressive combination can also be found on The Intentionality Of Uninitigated Evil. Also a strongly narrative song, delivered in that well-known cadence. Very impressive, as are the well thought out guitar themes that keep on lingering in my head. Listen to the opening and closing bars of Void Of Venom to understand what I mean. Don’t be alarmed, because immediately afterwards there will be a heavy blast beat that disrupts the whole thing. And then the wonderful Wresting Worms and The Luciferian Architect yet have to arrive…

I am advising anyone with a black heart to pick up this latest work by the Norwegians of Aeternus, entitled Philosopher, and listen it through thoroughly. Only then will you be convinced that this band has managed to conquer a special place within our beloved genre. Strong release!

Score:

90/100

Label:

Agonia Records, 2023

Tracklisting:

  1. Existentialist Hunter
  2. World Bleak Nepotism
  3. The Intentionality Of Uninitigated Evil
  4. Void Of Venom
  5. Wresting Worm
  6. The Luciferian Architect
  7. Carving The Pristing Anomie

Line-up:

  • Ares – Vocals, guitars
  • Phobos – Drums
  • Eld – Bass guitar
  • Gorm – Guitars

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