So far, the Lower Austrians AEONS OF ASHES released one album and four EPs. Herewith we now have to deal with the 2nd long-player The Wasteland Chronicles. Well, this full-length isn’t completely new, because three past EPs were recycled and three new pieces added, so, it’s kind of a hidden best of with interludes spiced up.
Modern, groovy death metal is the band's master plan, with fine melodic leads making themselves felt in the background. The alternating vocals of growls and screeches spice up the opener Ascendancy with a lot of pepper. This mixture should go down very well on the stage. The sound pushes neatly out of the speakers, but despite all adrenaline-infused energy the musicians don't forget about quiet parts and spherical instrumental passages. Bulky, progressive rhythm work also finds its place, challenging the listener and keeps the catchiness low. The numerous, short interludes lower the pulse in their quiet way; groovy riffs at the beginning of biting songs like Time Is A Lie hit us abruptly and dynamically. The unobtrusive chorus, in conjunction with the fine guitars, winds elegantly into the emotional nerve center of the melody-loving metalhead.
Dystopian nuances show on the distanced track The Alchemyst another interesting, but more difficult to access facet of the changeable artists. Meshuggah and Gojira could serve as clues here regarding the created atmosphere. The extremely calm sounds of Requiem let the following midtempo increases seem even more violent - unfortunately, this song turned out too short, here is still missing a chapter to round off in my opinion. Vocally they vary with a whispered part and alternating vocals during Walk With Us; additionally the martial staccato marching riffing can carry away. Grooves, melodies, unobtrusive choruses and modern pinches continue to give each other a hand, whereby there is a lot to discover.
An ambitious, colorful work with a modern touch, which builds up an engaging field of tension through fine melodicism and cold modernity - the (hidden) cheating or recycling of past compositions, however, leaves a small question mark on the forehead.