Review by Dominik on June 22, 2025.

Reading this review, I wouldn’t blame you if you think I’ve at least partly lost my mind. Because let’s be honest: this review is going to be full of contradictions. But hey, what better way to pay tribute to Aara’s debut album "So fallen alle Tempel" (All Temples Fall) than with a review that’s just as twisted and paradoxical as the music itself?

Aara’s debut hit the black metal scene (or at least me) out of the blue, and yet somehow, it feels like these Swiss maestros have been lurking in the shadows for centuries. They deliver a rather old-school version of what you might call “boring” atmospheric/melodic black metal, and yet—paradoxically—it’s anything but boring. In fact, despite the clichés, they manage to evoke nothing less than an epic black feeling that would make even the most jaded listener consider re-donning their corpse paint.

The production is, at best, average, but still creates a sonic maelstrom that pulls you in with enough pressure to make you feel like you’re being sucked into a black hole. The bass is practically non-existent, hiding somewhere in the mix like a ghost in the machine. And yet, you’ll find yourself with a curious sensation in your gut, as if your appendix is somehow connected directly to the bass amp, thumping away in rhythm with some unseen force.

The drums? They’re buried under layers of swirling guitars, occasionally peeking out just enough to remind you they’re still there. You might think they’d get completely lost, but somehow, they manage to hold their own, offering blast beat patterns that provide a solid, if somewhat obscured, foundation for the whole affair. Fast, chaotic, and just a little bit off-kilter, the drumming is like a heartbeat—always present, even if it’s drowned out by the multi-layered noise around it.

And then there’s the lady vocalist (no, I am not a misogynist). If you’ve ever wondered what it would sound like if a demented pig were being slaughtered and Daffy Duck had an unholy offspring and handed it a microphone, Aara has got you covered. It’s a sound that might make you question your life choices, but strangely enough, after many listenings, I couldn’t imagine any other voice fitting this recording. It’s raw, unhinged, and utterly perfect for the kind of atmosphere Aara is conjuring—equal parts terrifying and absurd.

But let's dive into the two best songs themselves, starting with "Was bleibt ist der Regen" (What Remains is the Rain). This track sets the album’s melancholic tone, its opening riff unfolding like a storm on the horizon. The countless layering of guitars, with their mournful melody, mirrors the relentless downpour of rain—a fitting metaphor for the gloom that permeates the entire album. The inclusion of traditional Georgian chanting adds a surprising and haunting texture, evoking a sense of ancient sorrow that beautifully complements the track's overall mood.

Next up is my favorite "Monolog eines Berges" (Monologue of a Mountain), a track that takes the listener on a slow, deliberate ascent into the icy heights of Aara’s soundscape. The interplay between the atmospheric guitar work and the aforementioned chants creates a sense of vastness and isolation, as if you’re standing on a mountaintop, hearing the wind howl as the world below is swallowed by darkness. The song’s pacing is methodical, drawing you in with its hypnotic rhythm and making you feel every ounce of the mountain’s ancient weight.

In conclusion, "So fallen alle Tempel" is an album that for me thrives on some contradictions, delivering an experience that is at the same time familiar and entirely unexpected. It’s a chaotic, atmospheric ride through the ruins of old temples, where nothing makes sense and yet everything feels exactly right. You might think I’ve lost my mind for praising it, but listen closely and you might just lose yours, too.

Rating: 8 out of 10—because sometimes, losing your mind is worth the hassle.