Talking about emotional Black Metal, I definitely have to mention masters of sentiments AGRYPNIE – the new masterpiece is anew a proof of the hypnotic effect of their sounds you easily get addicted to.

Nothing special happened or changed since the last effort, the vocals vary between contained whispers and accusing hysteria; presented music draws a bow from cold clattering rhythms over middle-paced parts to calm, reserved sequences, which are combined in natural and floating manner. In some cases, the band uses the stylistic device of repetition, but the dose is always felicitous despite the unloading way of composing.
One of the most wonderful examples for the mixture concerning speed and emotions is showing up quite at the beginning with the enthralling piece Dezember: a contained beginning, augmenting passages, interspersed double bass and wavering easy-goingness are contrasted by intense heaviness. I really appreciate the suspenseful and surprising build-up; a touching acoustic part seems to foreshadow the end of the song, but suddenly a tempo attack is unleashed – therefore the listener never can be certain about what comes next…
The tactics do not change during the following tune Zurück, a little bit faster outbursts and staccato-riffs joggle your soul and neck vertebrae. Background guitar lines are displaced abruptly by a dreamy part and the sound level is reduced to zero-point. The finale augments the speed again and also integrates stomping measures.
Afterwards, the sound collage Kosmos [Alpha] treads a completely different path and invites to relaxation during the first six minutes; by all means, the adoption of the double bass then develops a beamy intensity. This effect is prolonged by heavy track Gnosis including hymnal keyboards and long drawn guitar leads. Egregiously fluent measure changes and a moony centre section show up as a matter of course. Towards the end, the sound gets multi-layered, so that you get abducted to a very comprehensive wall of sound. In further course, dynamic structures dominate and some acoustic exclamation marks like the piano melody during the thoughtful track Erwachen care for additional zest.
What happens before the punch line? Right, the sound gets broader and stomping, made to raise your fists to the sky!
Finally, the two last numbers of Aetas Cineris called Sinnflut and Asche appear in even more unloading manner. Reluctance and aggression are combined in felicitous and slightly predictable, but also appreciated way. The fulminant last opus Asche is full of wonderful guitar arrangements, ere an ultimate eruption acts as grand finale.

Aetas Cineris is blessed with demand, dynamics as well as surprises and therefore an alternating emotional release, which is addictive in high degree, because (Metal) music cannot be played in more suspenseful style!