Black Sun Aeon | ‘Darkness Walks Beside Me’

This came out in March 2009, but has lain in a pile begging to be written about ever since. That’s a disgrace, given the quality of this incredible modern doom. 2010 may just have ushered itself in, but it’s vital that this record gets its spake.

I’ve always been partial to doom of the recent age as much as that of old. There’s a hugeness of guitar in particular that newer recording techniques have brought to the genre. Novembers Doom perhaps show that massiveness off best - and they’re a band with whom these desultory Finns have a lot in common with.

Fans of Novembers Doom, in particular their astounding ‘Pale Haunt Departure’ (an essential in any collection, btw) will lap this up. It has that fullness, that richness, and that epic quality that swathe keyboards provide.

There are nods equally so to the impressive Swallow The Sun, and on many occasions they’re like a vastly better version of what Daylight Dies could have been, were they not so concentrated on Katatonia. Excellent, in other words.

You simply must hear mid album belters ‘A Song For For My Sorrow’ and it’s partner ‘A Song For My Weakness’. They’re crushing, damning, epic tranches of weighty modern doom done with solemnty and a powerful vigour.

The roars are hoary, while the clean sung parts are dignified and brooding. Every now and then there’s an occasional blastbeat as well - never lasting very long, but proving so effective for it.

This is a release of platinum quality that will sate both the general metal listener as well as the underground Doom aficionado. It’s that good. When you look back at the year’s wares, you probably wont be seeing this in any lists. With no press and no hype, ‘Darkness Walks Beside Me’ noentheless is a serious contender for one of the albums of 2009.

It’s riffs are mountainsized. Get your hands on it.

4.7 / 5 - Ciaran Tracey ::: 01/01/10