The Gaerea debut album back in 2018 feels like a lifetime ago now, with the world having seemingly stopping for a couple of years due to the pandemic. Nonetheless, during that time Portugal’s Gaerea have dragged themselves from the dark underbelly of black metal onto a pedestal where they are now revered by those in the know. Their sophomore ‘Limbo’, released in 2020, received critical acclaim and was backed up by a series of punishing live shows which further added to the ever-growing reputation. Now it is time for their third album, ‘Mirage’ to be released and if I cut to the chase, it is their best release yet.
The album begins with ‘Memoir’ and a mellow guitar passage alongside sinister whispered vocals before exploding into an aggressive barrage of caustic black metal complete with an underlying air of despair. Gaerea shun the usual trappings of black metal lyrics and if my interpretation is correct, ‘Mirage’ explores a concept where the listener has died, but instead of leaving this mortal coil, finds themselves trapped in their familiar world but completely alone in a scene of desolation, perhaps reflective of the isolation suffered by some during the worldwide lockdowns. ‘Salve’ keeps up the brutality, not just in the music but also in the lyrics before a more yearning, almost harrowed, ‘Deluge’ which slows things down a little bringing a more claustrophobic atmosphere, before building to a more abrasive climax. The prevailing atmosphere here is one of despair and loneliness as the maelstrom swirls around you.
The centrepiece of the album, is perhaps ‘Arson’ with a cauldron of sounds melding during this harrowing epic as the intensity builds and wanes during the track. ‘Ebb’ and ‘Mirage’ keep up the momentum before ‘Dichotomy’ explores the extremities human life, birth and death, pain and pleasure in characteristic vitriolic fashion.
As we reach the back end of the album, ‘Laude’ retorts “We are Gaerea” with the longing harsh vocals sitting atop sweeping desolate melodies before the bonus track and album closer ‘Dormant’.
This is Gaerea’s best, most complete release to date. It is aggressive and abrasive with a claustrophobic intensity, and yet the vocals are harrowed, somehow yearning, while within the swirling maelstrom sit glorious sweeping melodies. This is a nihilistic, cathartic epic masterpiece.
(9/10 Andy Pountney)
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