AUSTARAS
Experimental/Post Metal • United States
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AUSTARAS is an atmospheric progressive metal band founded in 2008 and is currently based out of Chicago, Illinois. In 2011 they released their first EP, "Under the Abysmal Light" which blended elements of OPETH, TOOL and post black metal featuring harsh vocals and a dark aura. With the departure of bassist/vocalist T. KUHN after that release, the group modified its sound away from the harsher aspects of extreme metal, focusing on more varied instrumentation involving numerous acoustic passages, and the harsh vocals were jettisoned in favor of a somber cleanly sung delivery. With these new attributes, the band released their first full-length in 2015 called "Prisoner of Sunlight".
The primary lineup consists of John BECKER on guitars, vocals, violin and synthesizers, Adam HANSEN on drums and vocals, and Shane HILL on guitars and vocals. Also the group currently features Jeremy EBERHARD on synthesizers, and Richard STANCATO on bass.
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![]() 2015 |
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![]() 2011 |
AUSTARAS Reviews
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Austaras Experimental/Post Metal
Review by
Mellotron Storm
Prog Reviewer

"Deserter" has a mellow intro but it kicks into gear before 1 1/2 minutes with riffs. Vocals follow and I feel they are at their worse on this opening track, so not a great way to start the album in my opinion. He pretty much speaks the lyrics. We get a calm after 4 1/2 minutes with faint voices and picked guitar. The guitar solos tastefully before it kicks back in. "Thrones" sounds good when the guitar starts to solo before a minute in a laid back manner. The vocals join in along with riffs but again the vocals seem tired. It's better after 3 minutes as it all becomes more passionate. A calm after 5 minutes but it kicks back in quickly. I like the guitar before 6 12 minutes as the drums pound. "Refractions" is a short instrumental of relaxed guitar melodies then a second guitar arrives after 1 1/2 minutes.
"Threshold" has a nice full sound to start as the vocals join in. Double bass drumming comes and goes. Orchestral sounds take over 4 minutes in but not for long and then it turns heavy. "Ossify" has this slowly picked guitar that makes me sad as percussion and violin join in. "Fractures" is fairly heavy with down-tuned guitars and more. It does settle back as the vocals arrive before a minute before becoming more powerful after 1 1/2 minutes as the vocals continue. A calm after 5 minutes but again not for long. I like when we get another calm before 7 1/2 minutes. When it kicks back in the vocals seem to shout the words. "Reflections" is a short piece with vocal melodies and strummed guitar. "Seaworthy" opens with guitar as the bass and drums join in. This is laid back but then it starts to build before 4 minutes as riffs follow. A relaxed section takes over around 6 minutes with picked guitar and some atmosphere to the end.
Well worth checking out if your into this style of music, it just doesn't click with me though unfortunately.