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It’s been a big year for GAEREA. After releasing their fourth full-length Mirage back in 2022 to golden reviews accompanying its cover art and several live shows across Europe this year to support blowing new members of the Vortex Society away, the murmurs around the masked collective have become deafening. Coma has been slowly dangled in front of us for the last few months, with previously released singles and all of the above leading to serious hype and heavy expectations for the full album and despite this, they’ve not just delivered but its signed and sealed first class.
The band have shared how they’re always referencing around the human condition and Coma pulls at every emotion, heart string and atmosphere one could imagine in the fifty-odd minutes it plays, with a theme of hope throughout dreams (or nightmares) experience during a coma. GAEREA have also stated that they no longer see themselves as “just a black metal band” and whilst the full-length is certainly more complex than that, there’s plenty of the base line genre to keep previous fans hooked, with beautifully crisp, modern production similar to other more recent bands such as UADA or BLACKBRAID.
Each of the ten songs take on a different dimension and opener The Poet’s Ballet launches into goosebump territory instantly – slow, subtle and soft vocal harmonies suddenly burst into blistering black metal blasts and high tremolos swirling you into a dream state whilst prior single Suspended does similar with eerily clean guitar leads throughout.
The title track Coma showcases the most aggressive side of the five piece, with tension building drums from the get go akin to the likes of BEHEMOTH and floating yet sinister guitar hooks creating unease against the frontman’s emotive low growls.
Previously released single Hope Shatters has lyrics including, “a beautiful chaotic melody”, which is a perfect summary of many of the tracks on this record but its track Wilted Flower that encapsulates the sad yet euphoric and anthemic feeling across the entire album with whispered words, “my tears fall from the skies as my spirit slowly dies” standing out flawlessly.
The end of the record is closed off with Kingdom Of Thorns, the band still constantly supplying twists and turns of speed and tone into mesmerising melancholy, so by the time it all ends you feel like you’ve been woken up abruptly to face reality with a thud.
Do not let the masks and hype fool you into presuming that GAEREA will not withstand the sands of time or be likely to “sell out”. Their mystery through anonymity only further lets you focus on the emotion and energy of the group both live and on record every release of theirs has shown a growth and depth that outshines the last, with Coma only continuing this trajectory. This is GAEREA at their most vulnerable and fragile emotionally but strongest musically, not just reaching but exceeding everyone’s hopes and leaving your heart shattered in the best possible way.
Rating: 10/10
Coma is set for release on October 25th via Season Of Mist.
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The post ALBUM REVIEW: Coma – Gaerea appeared first on Distorted Sound Magazine.
