From Bandcamp, "AUSTERE are back. The Australians return with their third album - and they are as laconic and without any pretensions as when they went into extended hibernation after the release of their sophomore full-length "To Lay like Old Ashes" in 2009. Titled "Corrosion of Hearts," AUSTERE's brand of Black Metal has evolved into a more mature and defined form of expression, which is hardly surprising as both musicians were active in other bands during their hiatus." The album has four songs.

"Sullen" is the first. The opening clean guitars have a solemn feeling to them, but when the main riff and harsh vocals enter, the song takes a more angry turn. The song gradually builds, with layers of rhythm guitars working well with the melody. The clean vocals help that feeling of desolation come through strong, and the seemingly endless drone of the guitars keeps your hopes in the dust. "A Ravenous Oblivion" begins with a slow and hopeless sound, and the harsh vocals are drowned under the weight of your feelings. The song is very long, and the guitar work is good, but the same sound is repeated throughout.

"The Poisoned Core" begins with piano and clean guitars. Harsh vocals spring up and the mood is deadly. Tortured screams ring out, nearly driving the listener insane, like the howls of a banshee. The lengthy "Pale" closes the album. Again, the depressive tones are noteworthy, but when they stay the same through the entire song, it begins to weigh on the listener. Tones of both anger and despair take over from there, and beat you into submission with their repetition. Overall, I understand why the songs are so long and the sound never changes, because they want to drive that desolate sound home, and they do. But the fact that the sound doesn't change much makes for a homogeneous listening experience.