In Embers

There are quite a few bands named Aether here at MA. Today we are talking about the melodic death metal outfit hailing from Poland. There first full length titled “In Embers” got quite a positive feedback when it was released in 2019. It was even mentioned in several discussions when it came to the genre’s top releases of last year so I went on to check what the hype is all about and I can confirm: Yep, this is some seriously good stuff.

The riffs are cut from the same clothes as we all know from the traditional Gothenburg school. I guess that each of the basic chops presented on “In Embers” has already been played by In Flame, Dark Tranquility, Wintersun or any other of their peers in one or another variation. Personally speaking innovation is not what I am looking for when searching for new music these days, so I am glad to report that while there might be nothing really new or original the instrumentation is top notch.

Hefty rhythm chords are accompanied by fantastic lead guitars, perfectly enhancing one another. Often those harmonies work in the background to lift the atmospheric level of the whole affair or offer short interludes that are used to connect different parts of one song. There is also a bit of extended soloing, but while those show great technical skills they have been perfectly embedded into the tracks. The natural flow of the songs is never hurt by pure showcasing, and the whole album feels like one stringent piece of music. Most songs have memorable hooks making the album immediately enjoyable for the average listener.

The drumming is fast and ferocious pushing the music even more forward. The speed and intensity are kept high over the whole playing time with only a few slowed down parts. Thankfully the band members are very talented songwriters making sure that each song is easily distinguishable from the others so that there is not one moment of boredom. That being said the album has a very stringent feel leading to a very satisfying listening experience when consuming the whole record in one sitting. Some subtle blackish nuances are used to further ramp up the intensity.

The biggest asset of Aether are their songwriting skills. Nearly each single track presents ultimately remarkable hooks and catchy melodies. Some of folky and melodic pieces might come across as sounding a bit poppy, but it is nearly impossible to not get swept away by the epic soundscapes. The songs are structured in a coherent way so that it is easy for the listener to follow what is going on without sounding too simple or boring. The powerful growling is the icing on the cake.

Of course such kind of music does need a modern and powerful production and I am glad to report that Aether managed exactly to achieve that. The mix is tight, clear and crisp, with all elements being perfectly audible. The guitars are heavy and crunchy while the drums have the much needed punch without sounding too sterile. The cover artwork got a bit of criticism and I can see why but hey – if the cover is the main complaint when talking about an album you got a real winner at your hands.