Aeolian Fire

The bold beginnings! This one-track promo shows a band that is yet to settle down with a defined style – moving between Black-, Death-, Thrash- and Heavy Metal within a single composition. Fleet-fingered tremolo riffs clash against palm-muted chugs, only to erupt into a somewhat clumsy 1980s-styled guitar solo which is then followed by short epic passage. The result is quite charming and gives off a strange old school vibe that seemed all but extinct in the late 1990s. But it’s a bit too confused to count as a coherent musical statement.

Written by: Johan Pettersson

AEOLIAN FIRE returns with a live rehearsal recording that documents the band taking steps toward a more defined style of semi-melodic Black Metal of the Scandinavian variety. Except for two brief instrumental tracks, we’re treated with a blistering high-speed holocaust based around violent and basic tremolo riffing. Although clearly a more cohesive and technically proficient release than the debut, the songwriting suffers from a lack of dynamics and the riffs lack character – something which is of course integral to this type of Black Metal unless it is to degenerate into a blur of background noise. Fortunately, these issues would be greatly improved on the following demo.

Written by: Johan Pettersson

If AEOLIAN FIRE’s previous self-titled release can be characterized as a “mid-record”, then “Demonic Reign” is the fulfillment of the band’s potential. The style remains roughly the same, but both the songwriting and production (this being a proper studio recording) has been given a major boost. Listening to the title track, it is evident that the band has spent a great deal of time working on how to arrange the riffs and melodic flourishes for maximum impact. Each part segues very well into the next, and when the introduction riff eventually returns later in the song, it’s as if it has been transformed by the previous material (even though riff actually remains the same sequence of notes). Moreover, each of the individual riffs feel much more thought-through than earlier, which makes the songs easier to distinguish from each other – an impressive feat within such a “monochromatic” style of Black Metal. Add to this a really tight and furious performance that gives the music a further demonic boost.

All in all, AEOLIAN FIRE has succeeded in presenting powerful and well-written music that could’ve worked as a spring board for a potential full-length album had they not called it quits. (note: as mentioned in the band info, there was talk about a follow-up EP entitled “Throne of Evil”, but little is known about this release except for its working title.)

Written by: Johan Pettersson

Yet to be reviewed.