Relinquish

You know how I harp on the idea of professionalism when I describe albums. This is because it is a genuine trend in the metal scene as of late, with progressively younger bands releasing progressively more mature albums (though, as usual, not necessarily good). While Aurora Borealis is not quite a young band, having been kicking around the extreme metal scene for over a decade now, they exhibit the traits of many a young band these days, full of carefully measured professionalism and elegance in their compositions. However, I think that frequently such strict adherence to logic and clarity in metal is harmful to the spirit of such music as a whole, seeming rather unfitting given the genre's origins. This band, I fear, may be one of those cases.

The latest album from Aurora Borealis, 'Relinquish', is composed of a moderately technical variety of black/death (the aesthetic of the former, the structure of the latter), with the occasional mid-paced atmospheric passage. An adequate descriptor would be Marduk playing Morbid Angel covers: Aurora Borealis possesses a combination of the relentless blasting of the former and the grandiose sense of melody of the latter (though they don't sound precisely like either of those artists). Many of the songs emphasize the binary blasting under wafting tremolo of black metal, but is placed within a modern death metal framework, giving the songs a somewhat epic and ethereal quality that works fairly well given the aesthetic of the band. Really, this almost feels like black metal attempting to mimic death metal or vice versa, rather than a genuine fusion of both genres.

Aurora Borealis is currently only composed of two members: Ron Vento performing most of the instrumentation and vocals, and Tony Laureano, of, well, just about every death metal band in the past twenty years on drums. Obviously, given the credentials of both members, one can expect a high degree of instrumental prowess. Such expectations are upheld with 'Relinquish', with a high level of rhythmic and melodic variation present throughout. The songs here were obviously carefully designed, and each one exhibits a myriad of influences from across the spectrum of metal, be it the almost Maidenesque beginning of 'Let The Games Begin' or the gloomy Gallhammer-inspired atmosphere of closer 'Black Snow'. Aurora Borealis have clearly done their homework when it comes to songwriting, playing, and composition. The lyrics in this case are also of note: rather unusually well phrased and clever.

And yet, despite these qualities, something seems to be... missing. Unfortunately, I have reason to believe that thing is atmosphere. Aurora Borealis reach desperately for atmosphere throughout this disc, from cover art to lyrics to (ostensibly) music, but don't seem to ever quite reach it. I'd wager that one of the central reasons for this is the overly jumpy nature of the music, much of the blame of which can be placed on Tony Laureano, who, like in every band he's been involved with, simply refuses to not execute some unnecessary cymbal/tom fill every five seconds. Generally, the music can't simplify enough to ever give atmosphere a chance to develop: it's always hustling and bustling towards some conspicuous destination that it never really gets to.

It almost seems unthinkable that this album wouldn't be dripping with atmosphere: one look at the cover art in all its tripped-out neon neo-Mayan/Egyptian/ancient civilization number thirty four glory makes atmosphere an implied right. And yet, little is present. Only on 'Black Snow' are Aurora Borealis willing to take a breather and let their elaborate concepts speak for themselves; a moment that I wish occurred much, much more frequently. Too many notes, perhaps? Certainly. 'Relinquish' is too technical for its own good, too diverse for its purposes, and for every bass drum flourish, for every vocal trade-off, for every thrash break, the general goal of the album grows weaker. It's a pretty disappointing sensation, really, but perhaps not a totally surprising one.

Perhaps it's just me. Maybe it's something within myself that doesn't really pick up on what the album that has to deliver (such as in Nile; I'm shaking my fist at you right now, Laureano, for every tiny snare roll and ride burst on 'In Their Darkened Shrines') and others will appreciate it far more than me. I certainly hope so, because I can recognize that 'Relinquish' is at the very least an accomplished album; there's no doubt as to the musical and artistic value of this LP. But despite all this I would be remiss if I didn't say that I never really 'got' what this album had to say. I would recommend that other extreme metal fans give it a go, though, as your mileage will most likely vary dramatically. Try 'Relinquish' out and decide for yourself. Such a talented band deserves such a chance.

(Originally written for www.vampire-magazine.com)