Beyond the Wandering Moon

Incensed by the thriving and competitive early 90’s black metal scene in Bergen, Norway Ares aka Ron Hovland formed Aeternus more or less alongside groups like Gorgoroth, Hades with Borknagar nor far behind post-Molested. Of their compatriots early Aeternus‘ compositions resembled Hades (later Hades Almighty) closest but their style also contained death metal and Ulver-like pagan black metal elements as well. The ‘Walk My Path’ demo from 1994 gave only a muffled hint of the greatness they’d leap towards on their renowned 1995 EP ‘Dark Sorceries’ which surprisingly didn’t resemble Hades‘ ‘…Again Shall Be’ which invoked far more Bathory than expected. The death metal vocals and folk-ish melodic guitar work was at once epic and harshly black metal in execution. As such Aeternus had more or less differentiated themselves from their Bergen fellowes by absorbing elements from all over the Norwegian extreme metal scene of the time.

After Ares’ stint as bassist in Gorgoroth between their second and third albums the project took on Morrigan aka Nicola Trier on bass, who would stay with the band for their early classic trilogy of albums as well as session work on ‘Ascension of Terror’ as they began to lean into death metal. Her presence was vitally important to the band’s early full-length discography with her piano/keyboard work helping the band’s melodic/black/death/folk sound stretch into greater atmosphere and detail. Likewise her bass guitar performances are notably audible and dynamic throughout, something more common in Bergen black metal bands compared to the raw-doggin’ Oslo folks at the time.

Even more rousing and notable here are the efforts of drummer Vrolok, whose combination of thickly hammered double-bass drumming and black/folk metal appropriate rides escalated Aeternus to professional level drum performances. His performances on the first six Aeternus records showed great versatility in general but his work on ‘Beyond the Wandering Moon’ is particularly unexpected and on par with that of ‘Far Away From the Sun’. Ares himself continued his ambitions from ‘Dark Sorcery’ into something invoking an ever expanding vision of Molested-like death metal suffocation, and Ulver meets Enslaved sort of viking/folks inspired black metal rhythms. It wasn’t far from what Borknagar were doing on their 1996 self-titled debut but the two records deserve separate analysis and respect for their innovation and masterpiece quality.

‘Beyond the Wandering Moon’ is not simply a black metal record and instead occupies a space entirely it’s own and much of this is due to the breathtaking production from Pytten. Eirik Hundvin is a legend of Norwegian black metal’s second wave and though you might not know who the strange-looking rock bassist is he recorded, produced, or mixed every band I’ve mentioned in this review so far as well as Burzum, Immortal, Old Funeral, Taake, Windir and several more notable groups. With Pytten fully at the helm, and several years deep into his craft, they found a dynamic and full sound that was appropriate for Ares‘ intended ‘dark metal’ approach. This ‘dark metal’ idea combined both epic black metal intent and death metal aggression in equal terms and would expand into other styles of extreme metal beyond this debut album.

So, what makes ‘Beyond the Wandering Moon’ special is it’s full and unique approach that quickly stretched it’s wings of ambition beyond the norms of Norwegian black metal. I’d like to call it pagan black metal inspired but in the mid-to-late 90’s it wouldn’t have been appropriate as Helheim and Primordial had established pagan black metal as something spiritually separate at the time. I’d also like to call it melodic black metal and again point towards Sacramentum‘s debut for both the adept use of melodic movements and intense drumming but the guitar work aims more for flow rather than complex melodic themes. Some of great allure of early Aeternus records are their defiance to fit into any one defined sub-genre hole and each remains a brutally melodic, epic and memorable folk (or doom)-tinged extreme metal release.

As I slowly converted into a black metal fan after a decade of defiance ‘Beyond the Wandering Moon’ was, and continues to be, an enormous blip on my radar. Not only does the album carry an appreciation for old school death metal heaviness but Ares‘ talent for inherently melodic structures and epic song lengths (7-8 minutes on average) serves as an admirable indoctrination to a wider spectrum of extreme metal textures that were only possible with black metal’s influence. The guitar work is a hazy, atmospheric rendering that still manages a muscular thunder upon the release that was completely unrivaled by most late 90’s black/death albums. It also represents a truly strong mixture of the atmospheric qualities of black metal translated into death metal’s rumbling attack.

At a full hour ‘Beyond the Wandering Moon’ is oppressive, haze-inducing and begins to drag slightly as the implementation begins to hit upon redundant song structures. So, even though I consider it one of the best black metal-related releases of all time I understand it is overly long and an example of excess drive and inspiration. I have equally high praise for the band’s second album ‘…And So the Night Became’ and recommend both to fans of melodic black metal, atmospheric death metal, black/death metal, black folk/metal, and everything in between that is so strongly represented in Aeternus‘ debut.

Attribution: https://grizzlybutts.com/2018/05/01/retro-tuesdays-aeternus-beyond-the-wandering-moon-1997/

Aeternus' debut album saw the light (or probably the dark) back in 1997. Aeternus had been on my want-list for years and at last I got this at the end of 2002. This is the diary of the process that I went through with 'Beyond the Wandering Moon'.

The CD arrived and I inserted it into my CD player as fast as possible: This is what I'd been waiting for so long... Well, the cover looks okay, but the booklet is kind of boring. But hey, it is the music that matters! Eerie piano intro 'Under the Blade of the Dead' began to play and I simply forwarded to the next song. 'Sworn Revenge' surprised with its fast tempo. Oh, another black metal album from Norway, then... But the song has a lot of parts and different musical stuff. Surprisingly heavy album, but still individual sound. And those Celtic melodies! Wow!!! I continued listening to the album and doing something with my computer at the same time. The music flowed on, but it had become numbing, boring actually. And during 'Embraced' I started to forward the songs. "Oh, not so good album" was my initial opinion.

Next time: I had already put the album on my trade-list. I grabbed it one night as I started to read a book. I thought it would go nicely on the background. It did, for some time. Again it started to sound very boring. Then I thought I'm going to write this review.

Time: Now. What I have learned, once again, is that some music needs total concentration so it can linger and pollute a listener's mind. What I have found in 'Beyond the Wandering Moon' is nothing beautiful, but very dark and brutal atmospheres. Doomy heaviness, blackish touches, death metal brutality, ancient warrior spirit, folky melodies and melancholic piano work. A band that comes to my mind is Primordial (also on Hammerheart Records), but Aeternus are still individual because of their Norwegian roots. The songs are long and sometimes nothing seems to happen in the form of changes. So, partly almost transcendental, partly warlike. One just needs to let the music in, at least this worked with me. Still, it is not possible to get into the album all the time, it needs a right state of mind.

As stated, the sound is partly blackish, but it is so much heavier than usual Norwegian black metal giants usually are (or were). Some of the elements are a bit buried in the mix, but all this makes the album sound original (kind of dirty, but epic) and one can find new things after many listenings. Look at the cover and listen to the music and there is a connection, as is with the music and lyrics. The sound effects heighten the atmospheres. Who doesn't love ravens' song?!

Aeternus' debut album is full of epic and original dark metal. And that's a lot said, I think, especially in these times of clones.

(originally written for ArchaicMetallurgy.com in 2003)

A blizzard is conjured, a crystal sheet penetrating the darkness, glistening with strength. The strength of your ancestors, your people, as you and they become one with the Earth. You are a warrior, and you will die honourably, at peace with yourself and with your world. You will wait for the storms.

Ah, this is a beauty - one to which I can't hope to do justice with mere words. Ambient, pulsing rhythms reminiscent of a ship rocking on stormy seas. Folk-tinged melodies vary subtly against a blanket of white noise which dominates the CD. Rhythmically driven by the drums which throb broodingly in the background. Vocals aren't prominent either - deep, lengthy growls, adding an extra layer of darkness and rhythm to the music. The album closes with a reflective Celtic tune which is very aptly named "Celtic Harp Solo", having opened with an ominous piano piece. In addition, the production is excellent.

In a way similar to the very best of Burzum and Sacramentum, Aeternus succeed at disconnecting the listener and transporting them to an unexplored world with endless possibilities.