Aara
Eiger


4.0
excellent

Review

by Sunnyvale STAFF
December 17th, 2024 | 39 replies


Release Date: 12/06/2024 | Tracklist

Review Summary: An elevated sound

It’s been a good tail end of the year for high-altitude-themed Swiss black metal - first Paysage d’Hiver’s Die Berge (“The Mountains” in German), then their compatriots Aara with this beast - a concept album based around the titular (and particularly notorious) Alpine peak. This isn’t to say that these two records are especially comparable - Eiger doesn’t really go in for the kind of trance-inducing style plied by Die Berge, and this is a (much) shorter attempt than the aforementioned behemoth, even if it still gets pretty close to an hour in duration. As it is, this latest attempt from these prolific musicians (who have now released a full-length in each of the last six calendar years) is mighty tasteful - combining moments of atmospheric ambience which add an element of grandeur with absolutely unhinged stretches (accentuated by razor-sharp screeching vox) which will have anyone who can’t name a Darkthrone album crying as they run back to momma - it all makes for a wintry mix, as they say in meteorology. None of this formula is really new, the execution remains exceptional, and from start to finish my attention never wavers. Both vibe-y and headbangable in equal measure, it’s a standout release which feels quintessentially excellent within the contemporary black metal scene.



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user ratings (65)
3.9
excellent


Comments:Add a Comment 
Sunnyvale
Staff Reviewer
December 17th 2024


6264 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Planning on a few short reviews in the coming days for a few highlight records from the last month or so.This definitely deserved a writeup - probably not an album to convince non-fans of black metal, but those who dig the genre will almost certainly enjoy.

botb
December 17th 2024


18728 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

The first track on this didn’t really grip me but the next few were awesome.

Gnocchi
Staff Reviewer
December 17th 2024


18370 Comments

Album Rating: 4.1

Yes!! So glad this is reviewed : )

artificialbox
Contributing Reviewer
December 17th 2024


3061 Comments


black metal to accompany my fascination with mountaineering? okay lets go

Hawks
December 18th 2024


96262 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

Gotta hear this asap. Last album slayed.

kevbogz
December 18th 2024


6268 Comments


pls tell me this crunches snow


Hawks
December 19th 2024


96262 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

Damn man the vox here just sound like Hat from early Gorgoroth days. That is a compliment indeed. This album friggin rips.

JesperL
Staff Reviewer
December 19th 2024


5760 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

the eiger has been my fav mountain since i was a kid and this album is cool and this review is cool thank you sunny

vult
December 21st 2024


2792 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

great year for bm

JohnnyoftheWell
Staff Reviewer
December 22nd 2024


63080 Comments


Can I please get an advisory statement on where this should have landed on the 2024 BNM cringedex?

GrimDawn
December 22nd 2024


179 Comments


I honestly prefer the previous one Johnny lol but people seem to like this one to the same degree so idk

Sevengill
December 22nd 2024


12659 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

crunches snow [2]

CugnoBrasso
December 23rd 2024


3231 Comments


I agree that the Eiger is an S-tier mountain

Sevengill
December 23rd 2024


12659 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

def up there with the Matterhorn and Jorasses

CugnoBrasso
December 23rd 2024


3231 Comments


Wtf is Jorasses, get out of here with your non-Swiss mountains.

Sevengill
December 23rd 2024


12659 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

gtfo w/ not even knowing the Trilogy, sheesh



Mont Blanc is a suitable substitute though, we can shake on that and resume vibing

CugnoBrasso
December 23rd 2024


3231 Comments


Sounds like a deal, I absolutely fucking adore being on good terms with people!!!

ShadowRemains
December 23rd 2024


28192 Comments


we talking mountains? i'm in

Sevengill
December 23rd 2024


12659 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

yeah what's ur favorite Alp

bonus level who's your favorite alpinist

ShadowRemains
December 24th 2024


28192 Comments


hard to go against messner considering how ridiculous some of his feats are

favorite alp? probably the weisshorn



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