Portuguese enigma Gaerea have swiftly risen swiftly to the upper echelons of black metal over the past few years with their modern interpretation of the dark art. Their position was reinforced with the release of the critically acclaimed ‘Mirage’ back in 2022, which was followed up with extensive touring schedules allowing their brand to reach as far and wide as possible. I use the word “brand” deliberately, as Gaerea are about more than just the music. They are immediately recognisable with their unique masks, image and flamboyant stage presence, which contribute as much to the band, and the ‘brand’, as the music.
Momentum has been kept going with ‘Coma’, their fourth full length and on this, they have continued to evolve while staying true to their roots. Things get underway with ‘The Poet’s Ballet’ which starts with a sombre, acoustic intro laying a melancholic bedrock which then explodes into more familiar territory after a couple of minutes. Blastbeats and harsh vocals are the order of the day, but beneath the obvious brutality, there are some wonderful sublime melodies.
The theme continues throughout the album’s ten tracks with atmospheric interludes breaking up the more extreme sections, and the juxtaposition works well with each one serving to emphasise the other. Some of these atmospheric sections are almost ambient, such as on ‘Suspended’, where the serenity allows you to take a breath before the next pummelling.
While this is undoubtedly black metal, it is a modern interpretation of the genre – I’ve lost count of what “wave” we are up to – and owes more to post (black) metal then it does to the more stereotypical Norwegian sound from the nineties. The sound is crisp and the production is exquisite, but this doesn’t detract from the raw, organic feel of the album. There is a mixture of emotions pulled out here – at times there is a melancholic yearning, while at others there is an introspective, perhaps claustrophobic feel, as the album envelops you in its darkness, and of course there are times of direct battery when the heavier sections kick in. As you listen to the album more and more, it becomes more grandiose as the layers peel back and the album reveals itself, creating an epic feel.
This is great example of contemporary black metal, and will surely ensure Gaerea remain at the top of the pile, especially as I’m sure there will be more extensive tours where this material will truly come to life.
(8.5/10 Andy Pountney)
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