Year: 2024
Total Time: 47:40
Label: Metal Blade
The veteran German Μetalcore band NEAERA, celebrating their twentieth anniversary this year, will release their new, eighth album «All Is Dust» on June 28th.
In 2022, the band enlisted Janosch Rathmer (drummer of the German post-rock band Long Distance Calling) for the recording of their new album. The mixing and mastering of the album were undertaken by Kristian Kohle at Kohlekeller Studios, giving the songs a dynamic, natural, fresh yet familiar sound as a result.
«All Is Dust» sounds darker, more “serious,” and deeper than its predecessors, both musically and lyrically. Although labeled as a Μetalcore band, in this album there is a more Melodic Death Metal compositional approach, specifically of the Swedish school. NEAERA will ease off the excessive speed and place more emphasis on atmosphere and grooves.
The introductory «Antidote To Faith» along with «Pacifier» and «All Is Dust» are the most characteristic songs of the aforementioned elements. «Swords Unsheathed» and «Per Aspera» could be from the album «Neaera» but fit perfectly with the overall image of the new album, while «Edifier» delves into the band’s past with a dirty bass solo and the heaviest outro of the record.
«In Vain» subsequently lowers the tempo significantly, starting with a beautiful introduction. Here, frontman Benjamin Hilleke sounds as though he means and feels every comma on the paper, especially in moments when he roars “All In Vain”. «Render Fear Powerless» and «Dividers» follow the same paths as the initial trio of songs, and finally, the excellent «Into The Hollow» showcases some of the album’s best guitar work.
It is also important to note that «All Is Dust» features cover art by Giannis Nakos of Remedy Art Design (Oceans Of Slumber, Evergrey, Vomitory, among others), marking yet another beautiful work from him.
Therefore, the conclusion is that overall, there are fresh song structures, beautiful variations, and considerable depth, making «All Is Dust» a highly intriguing release. «All Is Dust» is atmospheric, heavy, full of energy, and quite old school at points, simultaneously. NEAERA seems to manage in their eighth album to blend all elements of their past with freshness and a vision for the future.
Rating: 7/10
Editor: Antonis Braikidis
Related Link: NEAERA – Facebook Page
