From their record label’s website, “Fourteen years ago, the Slovak black metal band AEON WINDS released the material that marked the beginning of their journey. The demo, “Aeon” now comes in an extended, remixed edition in digipak format under the wings of Aeternitas Tenebrarum. In addition to several bonus tracks, the release features two covers by the British legends, THE CURE. “Aeon” documents the beginnings of AEON WINDS, the leading Slovak band in the field of atmospheric black metal.”

 Let’s do the original songs first, followed by the two covers. The title track is first. It sounds like someone opened the door to outer space for me, and the possibilities of what lies beyond are evident. “To the Darkness He Went” begins with acoustic guitars and some tense atmosphere. What develops after is like the turning of a normal wolf into a werewolf, with superpowers. It is thick, tense, harrowing, and the stuff nightmares are made of. “Between the Dawn and the Dusk” is basically day time, if you think about it, but perhaps the nature of the band looks at that time as no fun. The atmospheric sound created gives way to thinking by the listener, and long pauses of your mind turning.

 “Born from the Stars” has two parts. The first part features a heavy dose of atmosphere and tension. It’s like looking at the billions of stars in the skies and trying to decide if life out there is good or evil. The second part features a full on display of more traditional black metal elements…a thick bottom end and that wall of sound, but it is not without some dark melodies. The addition of piano notes gives it a very nefarious edge as well. “Long Dead Dreams” moves quickly, and is as thick as quicksand. You can hear the bass leading the way along with the never-ending riff and harsh vocal screams. “The First Rays of the Moon” features the legend of the moon having magic powers…spells work better in moonlight, and the light itself is said to have mystical energy.

Let’s get to the two covers. “A Forest” is first. It has a long lead-in, and then the memorable guitar riff follows. This is a fantastic take on a classic song that transcends all musical boundaries, and it’s done with the edge of AEON WINDS in their own interpretation. “One Hundred Years” is performed with darker drawings. The sound that you would expect is there, but it is dispelled into shadows. I hear a lot of talk about “atmospheric” Black Metal bands who are anything but. AEON WINDS takes the term to its original status on “Aeon.” Within the instrumental passages, it is reminiscent of the vastness of the universe, and all the unique features within. The Black Metal elements are blended within perfectly, and the album has that uncommon balance between the two that is missing in today’s scene.