With "Luna" and "Aurora," TRAUMEN VON AURORA release their third and fourth album as complementary works. They shine in finding a balance between melodicism and heaviness by combining Black Metal and Post-Rock: Guitar tremolos, blast beats and harsh vocals alternate with clean guitars, sidestick drumming and whispers, each accentuated by catchy piano melodies or spherical string harmonies. Added to this are Progressive elements such as unusual time signatures and rhythms. In a way, the two albums can be pictured as Yin and Yang: While "Luna" plays in winter and tries to develop more hopeful lyrical and musical moods out of a melancholic atmosphere, spring announces itself on "Aurora," but not without memories of frost and dreariness.

"nicht alle dunkelheit der welt..." opens the album. From the opening notes, you can tell that this will be a unique offering. A heavy, massive sound is presented with odd chord progressions and some Progressive elements. Their musicianship is fantastic, and the song bleeds wondrous melodies. Strength and vigor mark passing elements, complete with subtle piano notes, through the end of the song. What a fantastic opener. "stille, mehr stille" is a longer offering, and the first with vocals. Tense piano notes and whispered vocals open this song, as the hairs on the back of your neck begin to rise. A more traditional Black Metal sound is presented here, but not without Progressive elements and melody. Häger is a beast on the bass, and Schäfers on the piano. The song rides in and out of stormy skies with beacons of light poking through every now and again. When this band wants to turn it up, it goes to 11, but that ending sequence is about pretty as anything I have heard this year.

"luna I" is somber affair for the most part. Clean vocals mark the opening sequence, followed by harsh vocals, and the slower cadence allows despair to soak in. This song features some serious songwriting prowess. "etwas" continues in this realm of grey despair and endless days, much like the season of winter. Let this sound ride out, and you will be broken by the end, marred by piano notes that hit you one at a time, reminding you of the desolation you face. You force yourself to plod forward, but movement doesn't make you feel any better. "luna II" begins with more piano and whispers, and then the harsh vocals roar in with a commanding presence. There is a lot going on here musically...the instruments carry most of the sound in a tight synergy. Around the half-way mark, it slows back to the opening sound, then the chaos returns even stronger with vocals screams and increased sonority. "sturmgeweiht" closes the album, with the first real reason to reserve some hope in these times. It's time to find something to look forward to, even if it is just something small. Start there, with one thing at a time, and build it brick by brick. In this case, the means justify the end.

The season of winter can last what seems like forever, as the days are short and frigid, and the wind can be cold enough to cut right through any layers that you are wearing. It can seem impossible to ever get warm, and the light of spring seems so far off, that it might never come. But before you can come out clean on the other side, you have to endure the storm, no matter how long it lasts. For this is the only true way that humans can experience hope, and hope can be a singularly beautiful thing. I am near speechless when it comes to describing this album, but I will leave you with a few words...glorious, astonishing, and remarkable...this is one album that you just must listen to this year.