One of the torchbearers of present-day Black Metal arises yet again from the underworld, erupting with intensity, casting forth black ashes over the world with their superb new album.
Behind black shrouds of obscurity and desolation, the performers of Porto, Portugal-based Black Metal entity Gaerea deliver their odes in cascading maelstroms of aggression and beauty, having rapidly distinguished themselves from the thousands of bands toiling away in the underground. Now in 2024, just two years since Mirage was released, Gaerea are back in action, erupting with intensity, casting forth black ashes over the world yet again with their new album, titled Coma. Recorded by Miguel Tereso at Redbox Studios, mixed and mastered by Miguel Tereso at Demigod Studios, and displaying a cryptic artwork by Nathan Lorenzana, the stunning new album by Guilherme Henriques on vocals and guitars, Sonja Schuringa also on the guitars, Lucas Ferrand on bass, and Diogo Mota on drums beautifully helps the band emerge from the underground scene, ascending towards a permanently lasting position at the head of the table.
The opening track The Poet’s Ballet already presents Gaerea’s undisputed ability to blend the smoothest, most serene sounds with the harsh and devilish essence of Black Metal, with the song’s Atmospheric Black Metal start suddenly exploding into sheer madness and agony;then investing in a more contemporary Melodic Black Metal sonority we’re treated to Hope Shatters, with Guilherme sending shivers down our spines as he darkly vociferates the song’s poetic words (“In the heart of the jungle / Where shadows dance and bleed / A beautiful chaotic melody / Where depravity finds its seed”), andGuilherme and Sonja continue to slash their axes in Suspended, supported by the classic drums by Diogo in another feast of Portuguese Black Metal magic.World Ablaze brings to the table more of their cryptic, eerie lyrics (“To be set free, at the end of his days / Into a world ablaze / With wonder in his eyes, he takes a deep breath / For a fleeting moment, a dance with life’s depth”) while the music exhales pure Gaerea, followed by the title-track Coma, a song that will pierce your rotten soul to the infernal roars by Guilherme while Diogo pounds his drums in great fashion, always supported by Lucas’ bass, in a lecture in Black Metal.
In Wilted Flower the band once again delivers a multi-layered, gripping overdose of Atmospheric and Melodic Black Metal, with Guilherme and Sonja extracting piercing riffs from their guitars for our total delight, keeping the album enfolding and mesmerizing, whereas those Portuguese creaturesbring forward another burst of melancholy and darkness entitled Reborn, with the band’s strident riffs matching perfectly with the rhythmic beats by Diogo, also offering moments of violence and insanity in paradox with its more ethereal passages. And one of the torchbearers of present-day Black Metal keeps delivering their unique blend of classic extreme music with tons of experimentations in the six-minute aria Shapeshifter, with its Doom Metal elements enhancing its obscure vibe; while thesecond to last blast of Stygian sounds by Gaerea comes in the form of Unknown, starting in a serene yet heavy manner to the classic bass by Lucas, resulting in one of the songs that should sound amazing if played live. Finally,closing such captivating album of Black Metal we’re treated to Kingdom of Thorns, with the intricate drums by Diogo and the stylish riffa*ge by Guilherme and Sonja turning it into a must-listen aria for admirers of the genre.
Within Coma’s ten tracks lies an individual narrative, each with its own tale to unveil. Collectively, they blend nuances of aggression, tranquility, solitude, and fervor, and you can experience all that by following Gaerea on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube, by streaming their unparalleled discography on Spotify, and obviously by clicking HERE and purchasing your favorite version of their amazing new album. Because Coma is indeed an emotional gateway to a dark Black Metal scene, a guide to salvation, pain, despair and letting go, moving up, into the blackness that is above, as Gaerea are the answer, the only answer.
Best moments of the album: Hope Shatters, Coma, Reborn and Kingdom of Thorns.
Worst moments of the album: None.
Released in 2024 Season of Mist
Track listing
1. The Poet’s Ballet 7:39
2. Hope Shatters 4:05
3. Suspended 5:02
4. World Ablaze 3:29
5. Coma 5:19
6. Wilted Flower 5:50
7. Reborn 3:51
8. Shapeshifter 6:24
9. Unknown 4:24
10. Kingdom of Thorns 4:45
Band members
Guilherme Henriques – vocals, guitars
Sonja Schuringa – guitars
Lucas Ferrand – bass
Diogo Mota – drums
