Review by Adam M on January 17, 2017.

This is certainly an interesting release. The black metal cacophony of Aenaon has been further improved by the use of a saxophone. The result is a vibrant and colorful album that makes use of all of its potential for engagement.

The songs are often raspy, but the added instrument makes them more avant-garde sounding for certain. The tunes have the ability to be open-ended whilst maintaining a black metal feel. This album really sounds like nothing else out there and it’s all the better for it. Right from the beginning, things get off to an exciting start with Oneirodynia. This is an eclectic and adventurous song that has just the right amount of catchiness. Other songs are equally adventurous and just as memorable throughout. There really isn’t a moment that goes untouched on the album and it shows through with the glorious music the band is able to obtain. Compared to Extance, there is a lot more going on and it’s more interesting. It’s too bad my final score of the album was done at a time when I’ve been harsher in reviews. This is really a huge improvement over that album. There is a more varied and interesting appeal to the band now with the addition of the saxophone. The sound of the band is more jazzy, which they already had a handle on and now more comparable to the likes of Ihsahn with the added saxophone.

There really is an unlimited palette to the band at this point. Though the album is consistently appealing, there are moments that are better than others and this detracts from the balance in the album slightly. This is really the only flaw I could find with this completely enthralling and adventurous listen. With Hynosophy, Aenaon have crafted one of the best albums of 2016.

Rating: 8 out of 10

Review by Adam M on January 17, 2017.

This is certainly an interesting release. The black metal cacophony of Aenaon has been further improved by the use of a saxophone. The result is a vibrant and colorful album that makes use of all of its potential for engagement.

The songs are often raspy, but the added instrument makes them more avant-garde sounding for certain. The tunes have the ability to be open-ended whilst maintaining a black metal feel. This album really sounds like nothing else out there and it’s all the better for it. Right from the beginning, things get off to an exciting start with Oneirodynia. This is an eclectic and adventurous song that has just the right amount of catchiness. Other songs are equally adventurous and just as memorable throughout. There really isn’t a moment that goes untouched on the album and it shows through with the glorious music the band is able to obtain. Compared to Extance, there is a lot more going on and it’s more interesting. It’s too bad my final score of the album was done at a time when I’ve been harsher in reviews. This is really a huge improvement over that album. There is a more varied and interesting appeal to the band now with the addition of the saxophone. The sound of the band is more jazzy, which they already had a handle on and now more comparable to the likes of Ihsahn with the added saxophone.

There really is an unlimited palette to the band at this point. Though the album is consistently appealing, there are moments that are better than others and this detracts from the balance in the album slightly. This is really the only flaw I could find with this completely enthralling and adventurous listen. With Hynosophy, Aenaon have crafted one of the best albums of 2016.

Rating: 8 out of 10

Review by Adam M on January 17, 2017.

This is certainly an interesting release. The black metal cacophony of Aenaon has been further improved by the use of a saxophone. The result is a vibrant and colorful album that makes use of all of its potential for engagement.

The songs are often raspy, but the added instrument makes them more avant-garde sounding for certain. The tunes have the ability to be open-ended whilst maintaining a black metal feel. This album really sounds like nothing else out there and it’s all the better for it. Right from the beginning, things get off to an exciting start with Oneirodynia. This is an eclectic and adventurous song that has just the right amount of catchiness. Other songs are equally adventurous and just as memorable throughout. There really isn’t a moment that goes untouched on the album and it shows through with the glorious music the band is able to obtain. Compared to Extance, there is a lot more going on and it’s more interesting. It’s too bad my final score of the album was done at a time when I’ve been harsher in reviews. This is really a huge improvement over that album. There is a more varied and interesting appeal to the band now with the addition of the saxophone. The sound of the band is more jazzy, which they already had a handle on and now more comparable to the likes of Ihsahn with the added saxophone.

There really is an unlimited palette to the band at this point. Though the album is consistently appealing, there are moments that are better than others and this detracts from the balance in the album slightly. This is really the only flaw I could find with this completely enthralling and adventurous listen. With Hynosophy, Aenaon have crafted one of the best albums of 2016.

Rating: 8 out of 10

Review by Adam M on January 17, 2017.

This is certainly an interesting release. The black metal cacophony of Aenaon has been further improved by the use of a saxophone. The result is a vibrant and colorful album that makes use of all of its potential for engagement.

The songs are often raspy, but the added instrument makes them more avant-garde sounding for certain. The tunes have the ability to be open-ended whilst maintaining a black metal feel. This album really sounds like nothing else out there and it’s all the better for it. Right from the beginning, things get off to an exciting start with Oneirodynia. This is an eclectic and adventurous song that has just the right amount of catchiness. Other songs are equally adventurous and just as memorable throughout. There really isn’t a moment that goes untouched on the album and it shows through with the glorious music the band is able to obtain. Compared to Extance, there is a lot more going on and it’s more interesting. It’s too bad my final score of the album was done at a time when I’ve been harsher in reviews. This is really a huge improvement over that album. There is a more varied and interesting appeal to the band now with the addition of the saxophone. The sound of the band is more jazzy, which they already had a handle on and now more comparable to the likes of Ihsahn with the added saxophone.

There really is an unlimited palette to the band at this point. Though the album is consistently appealing, there are moments that are better than others and this detracts from the balance in the album slightly. This is really the only flaw I could find with this completely enthralling and adventurous listen. With Hynosophy, Aenaon have crafted one of the best albums of 2016.

Rating: 8 out of 10

Review by Adam M on January 17, 2017.

This is certainly an interesting release. The black metal cacophony of Aenaon has been further improved by the use of a saxophone. The result is a vibrant and colorful album that makes use of all of its potential for engagement.

The songs are often raspy, but the added instrument makes them more avant-garde sounding for certain. The tunes have the ability to be open-ended whilst maintaining a black metal feel. This album really sounds like nothing else out there and it’s all the better for it. Right from the beginning, things get off to an exciting start with Oneirodynia. This is an eclectic and adventurous song that has just the right amount of catchiness. Other songs are equally adventurous and just as memorable throughout. There really isn’t a moment that goes untouched on the album and it shows through with the glorious music the band is able to obtain. Compared to Extance, there is a lot more going on and it’s more interesting. It’s too bad my final score of the album was done at a time when I’ve been harsher in reviews. This is really a huge improvement over that album. There is a more varied and interesting appeal to the band now with the addition of the saxophone. The sound of the band is more jazzy, which they already had a handle on and now more comparable to the likes of Ihsahn with the added saxophone.

There really is an unlimited palette to the band at this point. Though the album is consistently appealing, there are moments that are better than others and this detracts from the balance in the album slightly. This is really the only flaw I could find with this completely enthralling and adventurous listen. With Hynosophy, Aenaon have crafted one of the best albums of 2016.

Rating: 8 out of 10

Review by Alex on February 14, 2020.

That's probably the one thing most metalheads like about metal and what keeps us coming back is that, regardless of what we've heard and how good we may think it is or may have been, beyond it, somewhere just a blink away, is a record that is better than your last best find just waiting to be dusted off and given the ritual-treatment for a spin on the turntable. Darkestrah put out Epos approximately 13 years ago as their 3rd full-length, here now in 2020 it reemerges in the line of sight for those who dare sit docile as its black waves' currents pull you beyond the safety of the seashore. Would you believe black metal could be so harsh yet so beautiful at the same time; if no, take a chance and listen to the wails of a submerged soul trapped by the beauty of things condemned beneath the sea. Sparkling with glory and delight, yet within its bosom of pleasures lies a beast whose siren bedazzles the ear and entrances the soul. From waltzing in its world of wonders to being just another thing stuck between its monstrous teeth but still struck and stunned by awe as you are being devoured, your essence is now but a star lost to the infinity of the deep. Postured as an epic black metal undertaking, Epos as a full length seems like laughter and giggles to the weary attempts of other bands trying desperately to achieve even a speck of relevance while toiling in vain to sound interesting, only to be defeated by an entity not even remotely bothered, much more aware of their presence.

To the sounds folk metal, warring pagan black metal machinery and the elegance of melodies sounding as though they were crafted by an outcast village witch, in just above 33 minutes tells of Darkestrah's patience with music and their elder-esque handling of forces familiar to many but mastered by few. Just as the sea is with humongous waves pushing intrusively upon the shore at its tidal peak, this one song builds a momentum ever intensifying taking the listener from a passive state to one of sudden dread that builds from its whispering malice to a fluorescent burst of Scandanivian black conflagration. Vocals tear, riffs play in fiery dance with the blast of the snare, altogether with a melody that both swings a sword admonishing onlookers and afflicting those daring enough to stand in the path of its manic yet magical display.

Soulful black metal is perhaps the best phrase one could apply to Darkestrah's work on Epos. Offering just enough to keep the replay button activated as the listener hopes to fetch something new in its net cast into this sea of mystifying yet dangerous tranquility. Risen to provide a lot more than just the average landscapes or to be consistent, seascapes, Darkestrah's folky water-work has brought us Epos, a 33-minute sonic oceanic rapture. Irresistible entropy, enlightenment all the same, an enveloping encore.

Rating: 9 out of 10