AURAE LUNAE - Ntdd Strl - CASS

Label: Signal Rex

AVRÆ LVNÆ are a power-trio hailing from the still-rising Ecuadorian black metal scene. Fronted by Wampyric Strigoi - mainman of WAMPYRIC RITES, who've had a huge hand in shaping that scene, as well as GRYMMSTALT, WINTERSTORM, and DUNGEON STEEL among many others - AVRÆ LVNÆ also feature erstwhile WAMPYRIC RITES / DUNGEON STEEL drummer Eblis Destructor and one Geist der Natur on guitar and bass. Uniquely, the band brand their black metal "neon metal," which isn't as garish as it sounds; rather, they draw to the fore the shimmering, stained-glass textures of mystical black metal, making for a mesmerizing (and MELODIC) display of psychedelic obsidian.

Now, after a compilation appearance and demo last year, AVRÆ LVNÆ conjure the full fathom of their dazzling powers with the debut album Ntdd Strl. Containing a beguiling set of phonetically challenging song titles - or rather, a certain "code" to decipher - Ntdd Strl makes its point plainly and poignantly with an immediately sumptuous feast of sonics. Actually-gorgeous synths play a prominent role here, weaving in and out of the frequently chorused guitars, whose reverberating melodies penetrate the soul with ease and elan. Vocals are a suitably emotive ululation from both space and tundra, psychic or otherwise, where stargazing mysteries are writ large and wondrously. Whereas so much of the Ecuadorian style of black metal seethes with rabidity and rawness, there's an almost aristocratic air to AVRÆ LVNÆ here, or at least a synthesis of classic cosmic and medieval BM idioms - and that "space" is indeed space, for their textures allow ample room to immerse oneself without being onslaughtered by that rabidity & rawness. Thus, one could reference early Abigor, Gehenna, and Ragnarok as well as later Lunar Aurora, Evilfeast, and Midnight Odyssey, ​but AVRÆ LVNÆ are raising the banners for NEON METAL ​high and proud!

Fluo green pro-tape with black liner and UV pad print.