Aenaon is a progressive black metal band hailing from Greece. Formed in 2005 and quickly amassing a solid fan-base with their combination of experimental and original black metal, they released two EP’s before starting to work on their debut album (‘Cendres et Sang’) which came out in 2011. They are now back with ‘Extance’, which has been mastered by Tom Kvålsvoll at Strype Audio, Oslo (Dødheimsgard, Borknagar, Emperor). They have also employed some guest singers in Mirai Kawashima (Sigh), Sindre Nedland (In Vain / Funeral) and Tanya (Universe217). But they have also brought in further guests on saxophone, acoustic guitars, piano, electronics and cello, harmonica and contrabass. The result is something that Ihsahn would be proud of. First and foremost they are a BM band, but they are bringing in loads of different influences, styles and instruments, which means that they are an act that definitely deserve more than just a cursory hearing.
This is an album that contains a great deal of complexity and depth, while never losing any of the thrust, brutality and oppressive atmosphere that one might expect. There is even one song, “Algernon’s Decadence”, where it is just atmospheric piano – not something that would normally be construed as being Black Metal but within the album as a whole it works perfectly. Overall this is something that needs to investigated by all those who want their Black Metal to be a little outside the norm.
