#32 - Top of 2017

Aeternam - Ruins of Empires (Independent)

There have been many worthy bands with oriental influences that have drawn attention to their excellent craftmanship in the last 15 years. Among the most prominent are the brutal pioneers of the scene, Orphaned Land and the more radio-friendly Myrath. Aeternam are clearly more at home with the former, rather than the latter, releasing their 3rd full length album, feature a healthy mix of oriental sound and melodic death metal in equal doses. Ruins of Empires is their first album in 5 years and is an impressive return for the band, a few months before Orphaned Land also releasing their new record "Unsung Prophets and Dead Messiahs". Ruins of Empires kicks off with the melodic "Damascus Gate", before shifting gears with "Paropamisadae" unleashing a death metal fury. "Sun Shield" leans on a more symphonic death metal side, eschewing the oriental elements and alternates between symphonic clean passages and thrashing death metal. "Keeper of Shangri-La" is a beautifully crafted acoustic breather, with influences ranging from European to far-eastern folk music and symphonic elements mixed throughout. "Fallen is the Simulacrum of Bel" kicks off with a choral part eerily reminiscent of Therion and influences to Swedish symphonic giants are evident throughout the track's guitar lines, truly a great song. "Colossus" blends the metalcore influences of the band with symphonic elements and intricate riffing. The follow-up "Nightfall on Numidia", brings back the oriental elements, and acts as a relaxing oriental break, with additional female vocals provided by Hind Fazazi of Manahil.  The following "Praetor of Mercury" switches again to melodic death metal, with clear influences from Septic Flesh . The closer Zadyin Arga, attempts to unify the elements present across the record, featuring everything from typical death metal breakdowns, oriental vocal lines, symphonic keys, infectious melodies and cool solos, bringing the album to a glorious end. Check the album out and support the band at their Bandcamp page here.

92/100

Below is the music video for the opener "Damascus Gate".