ALBUM REVIEW: Into the Eternity, A Moment We Are – Aeonian Sorrow

Originally formed in 2015 by Greek singer and visual artist Gogo Melone, it wasn’t until late 2017 before the world got a taste of what AEONIAN SORROW had to offer. In October, the Greek/Finnish doom outfit released their debut single, Forever Misery – and though it failed to gain huge amounts of traction with the big names in metal’s press, it was very well received by publications that did pick up the release. Six months on from the release of Forever Misery, the quintet are set to release their debut full-length, Into the Eternity, A Moment We Are.

Like all sub-genres, there are certain characteristics one would expect a doom album to adhere to, and Into the Eternity, A Moment We Are ticks the right boxes. Not only does it keep the tempo down and the mood bleak from start to finish, it is masterfully executed and, despite the sombre atmosphere, somehow is incredibly exciting.

The previously released Forever Misery opens Into the Eternity, A Moment We Are, and really sets the tone for what the listener can expect from the album has a whole. Extremely down-tempo riffs mix with the excellent use of keyboards to create an oppressive atmosphere and epic scale from the opening notes of Forever Misery, and neither of these aspects throughout the duration of Into the Eternity, A Moment We Are. Melody is present throughout the entirety of the record, and used to a great extent, however Under The Light utilises the melody within AEONIAN SORROW‘s sound perfectly. With leads driving the melody, the quintet creates a huge atmosphere, and the juxtaposition of Alejandro Lotero’s death-growls and Gogo Melone’s enchanting, operatic singing is truly magical.

The piano driven Memory of Love is a beautiful, deeply melancholic showcase of the power in Melone’s voice, with the first few minutes serving as a welcome break from the crushing oppression of the riffs, before AEONIAN SORROW drive the track home with an emphasis on the death metal side of death-doom. Where Melone took centre stage with Memory of Love, Lotero is the main focus of Thantos Kyrie, his earth-shattering growls being accented only by a simple drum beat for the bulk of the song, with keyboards and an almost trance-like backing vocal performance from Melone towards the song’s conclusion. Insendia is still undeniably doomy, but with slightly more energetic guitar work driving the song behind the overlapping vocals, the song is a little different from the depressing dirge the majority of Into the Eternity, A Moment We Are is built on. The record comes to a dramatic, emotive close with the monolithic Ave End, leaving the listener feeling simultaneously exhausted from the weight of the album, somewhat melancholic, but utterly satisfied.

Into the Eternity, A Moment We Are is an incredibly strong debut. The band have mastered the art of atmosphere, and though doom metal is rarely a joyful sub-genre, the heart-breaking melancholy is ever-present across the entirety of the album. Excellent song-writing takes centre stage here, and AEONIAN SORROW have crafted an album that is as beautiful as it is gloom-drenched and dark. Based on this debut release, it would come as no surprise at all to see AEONIAN SORROW enjoy a degree of international success in the coming months.

Rating: 8/10

Into The Eternity, A Moment We Are is set for release on April 11th via self-release.

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