Review “Auer” – Marianas Rest
„Auer is a heavy ride through a disturbing yet beautiful sound landscape that only a Finnish band like MARIANAS REST can create. The album was recorded and mixed by Teemu Aalto at Teemu Aalto Music Productions, and was mastered by Svante Forsbäck at Chartmakers. Without question, Auer will establish the name of MARIANAS REST as one of the most enthralling, remarkable and exceptional melodic death and blackened doom metal bands of modern times.“
I fully agree to that after listening to the album.
Auer is finnish and describes day smoke, impurities in the air, which distort the way you see things. So there’s much room for your own interpretations which goes for the song lyrics as well. They are dark but also there’s the light of hope in it.
“Auer”, the title track, starts in typical Marianas Rest sound which immediately pulls me mentally to Finland – doomy melodic death metal with heavy guitar riffs, growls and screams. And as Auer is finnish, so the title track also contains some finnish lyrics.
“Diseased” don’t need to be introduced. The first single already got introduced enough. Check out the very first live performance here!
“Light Reveals Our Wounds” surprised me with power metal elements and more speed. Such an unexpected banger! Definitely an all time favorite for me.
“White Cradle” with the chorus in finnish language and amazing guitar solo could be named ballad, but it has a not unexpected harsh end.
“The Ground Still Burns” begins with an amazing piano sequence and goes into a dark and harsh melody. Jaakko’s vocal range increased a lot and is especially in this track the highlight.
As the title says “Fear Travels Fast”, this track pushes you forward into it’s darkness, it takes you like a raging river to distant shores.
“The Hanging Blade” goes back to doom death with an amazing drum/bass part in the end. It’s the longest track with over 9 minutes. Screams from far away give you shivers down your spine.
There couldn’t be a better song like “Sirens” ending this masterpiece which gives me goosebumps everytime I listen to it. The collaboration with Aaron Stainthorpe from My Dying Bride brought out a unique song which touches me both musically and lyric wise.
It matters not how strait the gate,
how charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul. (Invictus – William Henley)
I remember my review for „Fata Morgana“ two years ago in which I said Marianas Rest is my discovery of the year and gave it 10 from 10. Now „Auer“ is even more worth than 10 points. I expected much but such a masterpiece is beyond my imagination. It’s the most diverse album so far. They captivate you with every song and I got that goosebumps feeling more than once listening to the album. Most of all I’m surprised by Jaakko’s voice range, which has grown in every aspect, both the growling and the clean vocals. I can’t wait to hear the songs performed live.
My favorite tracks (hard to choose): Light Reveals Our Wounds, The Ground Still Burns, Fear Travels Fast, Sirens
Rating: 10 out of 10
Napalm Records release: 24.03.2023
Tracklist:
1 – Auer
2 – Diseased
3 – Light Reveals Our Wounds
4 – White Cradle
5 – The Ground Still Burns
6 – Fear Travels Fast
7 – The Hanging Blade
8 – Sirens (feat. Aaron Stainthorpe)
Marianas Rest are:
Jaakko Mäntymaa – vocals
Nico Mänttäri – guitar
Harry Sunila – guitar
Niko Lindman – bass
Aapo Koivisto – keyboards
Nico Heininen – drums
Link to Marianas Rest social media and album pre-order: https://www.marianasrest.com/links