Aureole - Alunar (2019)

Originally unleashed back in 2014, “Alunar” marks the debut of one-man Atmospheric/Ambient Black Metal entity Aureole. Delivering over 43 minutes of bone chilling atmospheric music, this release creates a very cavernous vibe that will send shivers down your spine. Brilliantly crafted for those who are patient and like things to slowly evolve and unravel, this release is ready to take you on a sidereal journey.

The album kicks off with the haunting “I: Citadel Alunar”, a track that slowly builds up momentum with its mellow riffs and hellish screams. Perfectly mixing dramatic synths with tense drone-ish moments, this track creates a chilling vibe. In tracks like “II: The Voice of Nebular Flame” and “III: The Senility of the Hourglass”patience rewards the listener with slow and intricate build-ups and crafty transitions.

Track “IV: Crusade of NGC 5128” features a heavier and more ravaging atmosphere with powerful riffs and hypnotic drumming. This song has more of a punch and yet the immersive atmosphere prevails over the Black Metal elements. Easing out the listener back into the real world, “V: Alunar, Decrepit…” feels like an endless fall within a dream. We like how this song on repeat makes hours pass by like seconds.

Overall, “Alunar” is a very solid Atmospheric/Ambient Black Metal release that develops at its own pace, but never fails to deliver. If you are leaning more into Ambient type of releases, Aureole will never disappoint you. However, if you are looking for ravaging and more intense music, go and check out Lustre and similar outfits. Prophecy productions did a great job with exposing more people to this majestic release, so there is no excuse not to check it out.

Label: Prophecy Productions

Release: August 16th, 2019

Genre: Atmospheric/Ambient Black Metal

Country: USA