Review by Felix on November 4, 2021.

Aura Noir possesses a special charm. The band members seem to be dour old men that despise the world and every human creature. But at the same time, they surprise with liveliness, determination and energy. With the appropriate amount of dirt under their fingernails, unwashed, unshaven and stinking, the Norwegians fire in every direction, no matter who the random victims are. However, there are a lot of people falling down.

The most deadly weapon of the album is the second tune called 'Condor'. Its targeted and raw riffing stands out, the tempo variations are brilliantly executed and the edgy chorus adds the finishing touch in a remarkable manner. Needless to say that the song is characterised by its aggressive overall picture. Long story short, this piece constitutes a prime example of black thrash metal. This is not least thanks to the hoarse yet powerful voice of lead singer Apollyon who emphasizes the filthy attitude of the three-piece. By the way, Aggressor is responsible for the lead vocals on three tracks, but there are no significant differences between his performance and that of Apollyon. However, the main reason for the high quality of 'Condor' is the guitar work. It delivers the perfect mix of harshness and melodies while avoiding any kind of superfluous elements.

Without losing sight of the dogma that their kind of black thrash thrives on nastiness and narrow-mindedness, the Norwegians perform eight songs which are closely related. The unwillingness to compromise prevents a high degree of variety. But I am sure that this fact does not represent a disadvantage. That would surely be different if Aura Noir had not been able to keep up the tension during the whole playtime. But with the exception of the slightly unimposing 'Black Metal Jaw', each and every song proves its qualities. In view of the band´s songwriting skills, it is too bad that the album clocks in at 28 minutes. The short playtime goes hand in hand with the production which is also reduced to the essentials. The bone dry sound leaves no room for any kind of playful airiness.

Despite its unfriendliness, the band has a special sense for humour. The title of the album's opener salutes Fenriz and Nocturno Culto, the owner of Tyrant Syndicate, a sublabel of Peaceville. Furthermore, 'Sordid' picks up the riffing of Possessed's "March To Die". Without being a cover version in the narrow sense, it builds a bridge from Norway's black scene to the American role models. The band itself describes the song as a tribute and that's a very suitable wording. Superfluous to mention that they enrich the fantastic main riff of Possessed's classic tune with an appropriate quantum of putrefaction. Finally, the straightforward and strong title track completes an album that fulfills its purpose. Black thrash supporters will be smiling from ear to ear while listening to The Merciless.

Rating: 8.4 out of 10