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Rotting Christ - Aealo

Label: Season Of Mist
Format: CD download
Released: 2010
Reviewed By: Mark Gromen
Rating: 6.5 /10


Quite a sonic surprise! Utilizing atypical, indigenous instrumentation (are those sackbuts or schwams?), strong melodies (‘Demonon Vrosis’) and a leaning towards Goth over death metal, "Aealo" is closer to Orphaned Land or Skyclad (okay, that’s a bit of a stretch) than Krisiun or Morbid Angel. The aggressive “dub-sa-ta-ke” has guttural vocals (not omnipresent throughout the disc) and a Middle Eastern feel, but without forsaking harmonies. In fact, the melodies owe a bit to the Amon Amarth school of making death palatable to more mainstream audiences.

 

'Fire Death Fear’ rides an infectious rhythm, growls and a backing female chant. Features guest performances by Alan A. Nemtheanga (Primordial vocalist) and diva Diamanda Galas on a disc closing cover version of her ‘Orders from the Dead.’. At almost nine minutes, it’s more than twice as long as some of the originals! ‘Nekron Iahes’ is nothing but 70+ seconds of a cappella female chant (at a significantly louder volume than the rest of the album), but then again, a lot of Aealo’s lyrics are not in English anyway.

 
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