Time, Unveiled

CD
Running Time: 50:00
Genre: Black Metal

Time Unveiled features nine tracks of sinister Black Metal that incorporates elements from different schools. The opening track: Triumph Again, kicks off with harsh guitar riffs that have a doomy edge, and the rasping vocals overlay with deadly aim. Berserker, (my favourite track so far) has a nicely sinister feel, and a mayhemic riff that sounds ready to go right over the edge, but brings it’s self back in time for the onslaught of the blasting verses and hate filled vocals. In contrast is the symphonic sounding Slave To The Grave, that leads the listener in to a false sense of calm before grinding the soul with another harsh, metallic riff. My only criticism of this otherwise excellent album would be a slight inconsistency in the mix. Some tracks have an obvious difference in sound levels, and the vocals tend to overpower the instruments in certain cases. But this isn’t enough to deter me from proclaiming how good I think this album is. And since when has the sound quality been the most important element of extreme metal? Pay no attention to my poserish rants, and instead – go to Aurora Borealis’s web site at http://www.auroraborealis.org where you will find details on how to obtain this fine CD.

Track listing:

Triumph Again
Sky Burial
Searching
Transversing The Tide
Berserker
The Last Day
Reign
Sixteenth Chamber
Slave To The Grave


note: I first had this review published on www.metalcrypt.com

Damn, the recent influx of demos has been top notch. And even though Time Unveiled isn't really a demo (they have two other full length releases) it certainly does kick ass. Featuring Ron Vento on guitars, bass, and vocals, with Tim Yeung (who also appeared on Hate Eternal's debut) destroying the kit, Aurora Borealis have made some impressive black/death metal.

The guitar parts are reminiscent of South of Heaven-era Slayer in the sense that they create an evil and foreboding atmosphere that is actually disturbing to listen to. The vocals are straight up black metal vocals, in a similar fashion to those of Emperor or Mayhem, and compliment the evil atmosphere perfectly. Tim Yeung is a monster on the kit, and he should be. He deserved that finalist spot in the Slayer drumming competition and he shows why on this album. Precise and brutal, each song is a clinic on how to be an awesome metal drummer without compromising the flow and feel of the song.

While I don't think this album is strikingly original but it is very good for what it is. The riffs are awesome, the drumming is powerful, the lyrics are intelligent and the entire CD is enjoyable. I recommend this to any metal fan.

Originally published @ www.metaljudgment.com