The Hour of Desolation

So, this is the debut album by Kentucky’s Aeons of Eclipse, and a self-released one as well, I might add. To be completely honest I tend to get a negative first impression of self-released first albums. There are definitely some great ones, but to me it seems that most albums of the sort is simply ‘cause the band just couldn’t get a deal. And so they release a half-arsed album by themselves instead.

Well that is certainly not the case here… The hour of desolation displays an impressive array of brutality and diversity. It starts off with a bombastic intro, really setting the mood to dark and stark with a war-like ambience. And when the growling and mangling sets in… Oh boy, let me tell you I almost get goose bumps. The deep and guttural growls of Scott Slinker is enough to scare even the most hardened horror flick fanatic, and when he let the growls rip and turn into harsh, high pitch screaming I am in awe.

Add to that the semi-technical riffing that can display hints of Nile just as blackened death á la Behemoth finds it way in. The brutality is ferocious as the heavy, chugging strings get accompanied by the drumming by the talented Mr. Scott Briggs. The slower, more technical and slamming parts are intricately intertwined with absolutely relentless fast-forward blasting, and classic Florida styled death á la early Cannibal Corpse and Morbid Angel.

And eventhough previously mentioned acts frequently come to mind, the comparisons don’t even come close to give you an idea of Aeons of Eclipse’s sound. The end result is so darn brutal it’s easy to brush them off as another band in the line of Devourment and other equally as gory and guttural death metal acts. But when paying closer attention to the sound you’ll find little quirks that really keeps it interesting. Take for instance the keyboard lurking in the background at times. They’ve put it far enough back as to not take over the sound, but still audible enough to let you know what’s happening. Take a track like Right hand of the beast, which starts off ultra-brutal (well, it is just as brutal throughout the entire song), but towards the end they add this keyboard moment that takes the atmosphere to an entirely new level. It still feels as dark, but with a solemn touch to it… Or Damned to the pit, where it suddenly feels like you’re in the midst of a medieval satanic gathering, as the unholy worshippers are trying to call forth the beast.

I’m super impressed with these lads, and I’m sure they’ll have no problem what so ever to find a fitting label for future releases. If they just keep this up they’ll be on to greatness. But for the next time, please include the lyrics as well!

Originally written for http://www.mylastchapter.net