DOWNFALL OF GAIA – Aeon Unveils the Thrones of Decay
- Posted on 10-01-2015
German meets New York quartet Downfall of Gaia are a new discovery for me, although being around since 2008 they aren’t new to most ardent metal followers. "Aeon Unveils the Thrones of Decay" is their third full length, and it’s quite a barnstorm affair in terms of style melding. It’s equally vicious in the fast and violent black metal outbursts as it is calm and serene during the atmospheric, post-metal and sometimes avant-garde passages. Six of the seven tracks exceed the 8 minute mark – so prepare for long-winded instrumental sections that can blast furiously and provide sonic comfort from one riff to the next.
The combinations of sounds works – anticipation builds as many parts crush while others provide that calmness to set up for the next collection of chords and tempos. Prolonged guitar feedback punctuates the ending of the brilliant 10 minute epic "Carved into Shadows", while quiet guitar picking on the 2:37 "Ascending the Throne" gives way to "Of Stillness and Solitude". It’s difficult to pin down what bands Downfall of Gaia sound similar to – the calmer parts have post-metal and European alternative elements, while the black aspects are straight out of a Scandinavian outlook.
Be it the quiet, guitar trilling that goes in tandem with tribal drum fills and hits during "Whispers of Aeon" around the 6:30 mark and continuously builds for a triumphant conclusion to the 11:49 arrangement or the sinister beginning that gives way to blackened fury on opener "Darkness Inflames These Sapphire Eyes", the four-piece confidently stride into their music and create mind altering, mood moving arrangements. An hour later, you won’t feel the same – and the next listening experience will take you into fresh spaces.
Downfall of Gaia deserve accolades, deserve your time, and should gain respect as their output is the stuff of legends.