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Band: Arts Of Erebus
Album title: An Open Case Of Parousia
Release date: 31 May 2013
Label: Sonorium Records
Tracklisting:
01. Ouverture: (Death Shall Have No Dominion)
02. On The Edge Of Insanity
03. Spark Of Hope
04. Ghost Of War
05. Gates Of Hades
06. Point Of No Return
07. The Wanderer Between Life And Death
08. Shadow Of Life
09. Insight In Darkness
10. Requiescal In Pace
11. Epilogue: The Die Is Cast
The long-awaited 'second advent' (sometimes called parousia) of Arts Of Erebus is now complete. As stated by On The Edge Of Insanity EP (which was released in advance the last year), the French-Germans has reborn into a darker projection of themselves. Rightly titled An Open Case Of Parousia, the new album offers inspirational guitar-driven soundscapes which are lyrically placed somewhere between life and death. As episodes of the same reverie, each track gives way to the other in a flowing manner taking the listener into an obscure (even oddly soothing) atmosphere.
Deeply felt vocals by Raven Burroughs, who skillfully combines throaty moans and harmonious tones while performing, built up an emotional core along with the shimmering chords counterpoint. Distant-sounding guitars and well-managed synth melodies fit that backbone, amplifying the elegiacal ambiance. But make no mistake, Arts Of Erebus knows how to achive a right balance between sound environment and dynamysm. Without undermining the track's soul, the band powers the formula with their hallmark riffs and rhythms. Also they keep the things atractive through constant pace changes. The steady bass lines make the rest, compacting and bestowing the compositions with a solemn temper. Thus, Arts Of Erebus' two-fold nature is further reinforced through the new repertoire. Evocative downtempos such as the grandiose epilogue "The Die Cast" and epic anthems like "Shadow Of Life", coexist with hook-laden gothic rock gems such as "Ghost Of War" or "Requiescal In Pace", just to name a few. There's no fillers in this album so it's hard to avoid the continuous playback. Adding to the aforementioned incentives, the elegantly enhanced production and the conveyed message coherence must be remarked. Without detracting the band's previous work at all, An Open Case Of Parousia is their best release so far.
There is nothing predictable about the structures here, which makes this album fascinating, more of an exploration than merely a listen. "What if you wander upon Elysian Fields. What if you have got all you ever wanted." Just reflect on these words and then let the imagination run free while listening. At that very moment, an intense gothic rock experience will be revealed to you.
Review written by: Billyphobia (Virus G)
Rating: 9/10
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