Aura Mortis "Aion Teleos" Cassette

Vocals - Pakost
All Instruments - Maledictor

First album by Black Metal / Death Metal band Aura Mortis from Velika Plana. Released upon the 4th of September 2022.

Consisting of two persons Aura Mortis is one of the rare examples of a black metal combo hailing from Serbia. Both gentlemen have gained quite a bit of experience in other projects, but it is probably accurate to say that we are talking about a relatively unknown underground band here. After having contributed to some splits and EPs it was time to release a full length. “Aion Teleos” consists of seven tracks and nearly 39 minutes of playing time, so I would say the right package for this kind of music. The album has been released by Schattenkult, and anyone familiar with this label will know that every artist released on this imprint is selected by the label owner with care.
Starting off with a creepy intro things kick into gear with “Silence, Blessed Be”. Fast double-kicks and a slightly obscure melody welcome the listener before the tempo is slowed down a bit and the deep and ritualistic vocals join. Already in the first track it becomes obvious that while the music is rooted in traditional black metal there are a lot of tempo and rhythm switches to lend the songs additional layers and the band a distinct originality that sets them apart from the pack. Some off-kilter and odd time-signatured chords creatively set the tone for what more is to come, instantly giving the feeling that while sounding familiar this is going to be something unique and subtly different for your ears to chew on. The band not only pays a great tribute to the classic sound, but still manages to stamp their own signature on it.
Often Aura Mortis dive straight into a more straight-forward black metal style, with sweeping guitars and dominant vocals taking center stage over a pulsating rhythm. The impressive riffing breaks the music up in fine instrumental sections, showcasing an expertly blended contrasting interpretation of the genre. Tracks like “A Dove in Shackles” hit on all the right places, brutal and vicious with just the perfectly dosed amount of tempo changes tied together with some pretty cool lead guitar playing, providing the atmospheric attributes which are needed to keep things intriguing over the whole playing time. Whenever Aura Mortis attack they do with a blazing onslaught of high-speed savagery, with the drums pounding and blasting in exhilarating fusillades. However, the guitars always display a dense, violent and at times quirky feeling, and the intense vocals add to the overall sinister mood.
“Aion Teleos” is a brooding piece of occult music that proceeds through stalking beats and a mass of sinister, deleterious riffage. It is an oppressive and at times unsettling experience, but one that brings enjoyment to the dark hearts of real black metal fans. The squirming and swiveling bits of melody that recur throughout the album are what makes it a memorable listen, and while some moments and songs might be superiorly constructed to others the whole record in its entirety has a fantastic flow and never gets boring. Coupled with the wrenching torment of the vocals, the riffing rises and falls in ways that make the music sound both fragile and crazed with fear. The production is well executed and manages to bring some clarity to the table without taking anything away from the raw underground spirit. So in case you are a fan of classic black metal with a slightly ritualistic character and some dips into dissonant territories this one could be for you.

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