FAKING GOLD AND MURDER

Faking Gold and Murder isn't really much different than Aethenor's previous albums, but from the frantic beginning of the first track you'd almost be expecting a more energized version of the band's dark soundscaping. It's only more of the same, though, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. The first track does feature some witchy vocals among frantic winds and avant-garde electro-acoustic crashing and ringing of pans, pots, keyboards, and abstract percusion. Atmosphere-shaping electronically rendered resonances also appear as they did previously, which is always a plus. If I did have to put a picture to this album, I'd say a meeting of satanic priests for sacrificial purposes would probably be my choice. Among all of the frantic, avant-garde confusion of the structureless tracks, the last track, "IV", is actually remarkably mellow and much more inviting, featuring soothing drones that seem comfortable and distant keyboards and sirens playing an incomprehensible but pleasant-enough sounding melody.

It's by this album that I decided a change in Aethenor's sound would be appropriate, but nothing too huge. Just a few extra elements would help this band progress in sound, and keep me from getting bored. This is a nice album, though. Like their other releases, this is dark and atmospheric, with a strong creepy leaning. Again, this is great stuff for anyone who happens to be a fan of Igor Wakhevitch.