THE BLOSSOMING

I always like it when bands work in non-conventional rock instruments to their music. Even if it's just a one-off solo in one song, that sort of timbral variation can go a long way in making a band's music that much more enjoyable. What I like even more is when a band can fully integrate a non-typical rock instrument into their music in a key way, like Kansas's violin, or Titus Groan's many wind and reed instruments.

Ætheria Conscientia is a band that does an excellent job of integrating saxophone into their music. Their 2021 release, Corrupted Pillars of Vanity, saw them weaving saxes into every nook and cranny of their compositions. That warm, reedy buzziness complemented the chug and crunch of their guitars, while also underscoring their jazz influences. Saxophone remains prominent on The Blossoming, their new release; it is an integral part of their overall sound.

"Astral Choir" opens with a twangy, Middle Eastern-tinged guitar line, and I really like the band's use of hand percussion. It adds a certain rhythmic lightness and nimbleness to what is an otherwise steady, almost plodding opening riff. Icy walls of black metal fight against summerier jazz tones, and the occasional synth embellishment adds depth and complexity. As this cut reaches its second half, things slow down and lighten up considerably, and moments are simply straight-up jazz. That vaguely Eastern mode is prominent here, lending this an exotic feel. The transition back to metal is naturalistic, aided along by some smart choices in guitar tone and some lovely guest vocals. This 10-minute cut ends with a powerful, ascending passage, and it's a great way to close out the opening track. That momentum naturally feeds into the rest of the record.

"Haesperadh", in contrast, is much slower and smoother. There's almost a sultriness to the laid-back jazz tones present in this song's opening. As it progresses, though, that sort of easy confidence shifts to anxiety, and the guitars grow more distorted to reflect that. Agalloch is a clear influence on the vocal melody and construction of the verses. Sax serves ably both as a lead and a support at different moments, and the band's shifting between jazz-rock and atmospheric black metal and doom metal is so natural it's hardly noticeable.

At only a touch over five minutes, "Wrath of the Virikoï" is the shortest song on The Blossoming, and it plunges into a high-intensity passage immediately. Hazy, doomy black metal with distant sax backing tumbles forward relentlessly, and subtle flourishes and fills keep the backing track interesting. The band plays around with meter in a wonderfully disorienting way in this song's midsection. Squealing, twisting synthesizer flashes add to the uneasy sense of time.

Cold, airy synth stabs open "Daimu Kadasdra Ko Antall". As percussion and guitar enter, the band revisits those Middle Eastern scales last heard in "Astral Choir". There's a sense of foreboding as this piece takes its time in getting going. In fact, it might take a bit too much time to get going, but it does feature a wonderful Gilmourian guitar solo near its end.

Eastern motifs continue on "Endless Cycle". It has a slow, ritualistic mood in its opening, underscored by hand percussion and groaning wordless vocals. It eventually bursts into a heavy riff that is both lurching and searing. Saxophones jump about, weaving silky leads above the distorted fray.

The Blossoming closes on its title track. Warm, hopeful saxophone and rippling clean guitar call to mind some of King Crimson's work, but that's soon brushed aside by pummeling, heart-pumping black metal. The band ties together their best tendencies on this cut. Jazz and post-metal flavors mingle with their usual prog and black metal base, and the song is long enough to allow for plenty of exploration and evolution without bogging down. The guest vocalist from earlier in the album returns here, and her contribution helps add to this song's unique character.

The Blossoming is another strong release from Ætheria Conscientia. It feels more focused than their last record, and that largely works in their favor. The music is fresh, inventive, and affecting.

Review originally posted here: theeliteextremophile.com/2024/08/19/album-review-aetheria-conscientia-the-blossoming/

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