Aesthus - Hänen temppelinsä varjoissa (2022)

Hailing from Finland, today we have Black Metal newcomers Aesthus and their debut full-length release “Hänen temppelinsä varjoissa”. Delivering over 38 minutes of furious and frosty music, this band further extends the dominance of Finland as one of the countries that produces uncompromising and crushing BM releases.

Opening with the incisive album title track, we are treated to a hefty dose of blistering drumming alongside piercing and melodic riffing. The band’s two guitars onslaught is brilliantly balanced around hellish shrieks and a throbbing bass guitar line, with tracks like “Vihani alttarilla”, “Kuolonpolku”, and “Jälkeläinen” being perfect examples of this.

The band’s pacing is impeccable, as tracks like “Verta Saatanalle” and “Ikiyössä’” create a slower paced atmosphere filled with tremolo picking and melodic interludes to bring forth extreme musical destruction. For those looking for a more lush and atmospheric sound, the keyboards on “Tyhjyys, ikuinen kuolema” give the band a completely different edge, filled with funky arrangements and a very Limbonic Art-like vibe.

Overall, "Hänen temppelinsä varjoissa" is a pretty crushing release showcasing many facets of Aesthus sound and influences. The band manages to craft a diverse set of incisive tracks that keep the listener engaged while not getting repetitive or dull. If you are a fan of Finnish Black Metal, this is one of those releases you can’t miss out on.

Label: Purity Through Fire

Release: March 21st, 2022

Genre: Black Metal

Country: Finland