In Nomine Aeternitatis

In the year 2000, Dargaard had been doing ambient music for three years already, calling their second release “In Nomine Aeternitatis”. Eleven songs compound this full length entirely focused on darkened landscapes and giving touches to their black metal influences related to the overall environment. This one, however, seems to be the lesser known of the band’s albums.

Layers of echoing chants are the main leading aspect of the entire album, without diminishing the personality of the rest of synthetized instruments. Every sound takes its part conforming special textures within songs, without burying any other section. Nonetheless, sometimes production suffered from high pitched strings losing neatness, giving the impression of sand-ish results in the synth. Besides, many deep notes lacked enough power to enclose the listener in the required air. There are no more flaws in the Austrian’s performance, apart from those tiny details.

The medieval atmosphere around those black tree silhouettes and slow motion shadows disclose a strong similarity to the first releases by Arcana. But as an identity owned by Dargaard, the dark romance steps aside to give place for a dark childish playing mood, as presented in “Underworld Domain” and the incredibly haunting “Caverna Obscura”. This difference with Bjargo’s initial project is accentuated by the wide range presented between high pitched single sounds and low wind and string instrumentals, as well as little trust in deeper backgrounds to draw nostalgic or sorrowful singing. This duo produce ghost-like voices flying over an ancient playground at night, leaving you lost in a dark cold hall, cave, forest or anything your brain evokes as colossally lonely.

If you play the album when alone outdoors or indoors, it will isolate you from humanity, especially when emotions strike you in the sixth track, after a one minute mysterious interlude. Some songs will not be remembered once the cd finishes, but others are going to stay in your blood like nicotine in the nervous system, not recalling details but the sensations. Medieval music lovers will be left with a nice taste, while ambient listeners will get incurably addicted to more than one song.