Different from other Metal genres played in Germany, Black Metal seems to be always hidden on the underground depths. It's not clear if it a choice of the bands or if it is a fact that happened due the lack of a strong German name on the genre during the rise of the Second Wave in the 90s. But pay attention: even in such way, it doesn't mean that excellent acts can't appear on the country, and legends of the genre as BETHLEM, NARGAROTH, AGATHODAIMON, SECRETS OF THE MOON, DARK FORTRESS, NINNGHIZHIDDA and others are proofs that German Black Metal is really amazing as Swedish, Norwegian, English or any other School of it the reader can choose. And another good name is arising and lighting ablaze things there: SERVANT, a quartet that comes as a massive storm with its second album, "Aetas Ascensus".

Their musical work can be said as a form of Black Metal that bears a lot of influence of the Second Wave of Black Metal acts as MAYHEM, SATYRICON, ABIGOR and others on such way, but using some subjective darkened melodies (that personal ones that are found on German acts of the genre) on the instrumental arrangements to make things even more interesting for the hearers (pay attention to the instrumental parts during "Empire of Madness"), using lead guitars and duets instead of keyboards sheaths. But pay attention: this comparison doesn't mean that the band is empty of personality, or sounds moldy. It's the opposite: they show a strong and bold personality on their songs, and they bleed in a raw and massive energy. It's really great to hear such Black Metal form used in this updated insight of the genre. The sonority of the album is what brings their music to life. The quartet uses a model that was created during the rise of early acts of Black Metal of the Second Wave, but in an understandable and actual way. It's sinister, darkened and crude (due the instrumental tunes used during the recordings), but always in a defined way that allows the understanding of what's being expressed. It's a great sonority, indeed, but without tearing apart the classic elements of the genre.

The quartet uses harmonic guitars contrasting with fast blast beats and endless sets of atmospheres that enrich their songs. And even with 9 excellent tracks, the right ones for having a first experience on the band's music are "Aetas Ascensus" (pay attention to the contrasts of ambiences created by the guitars), "Of Asceticism and Ecstasy" (what a great flux of raw and brutal energy flows from this one, but the somber contrasts of darkened ambiences with Black/Thrash Metal influences are clear, all built under a solid and technical work of bass guitar and drums), "To Crown a Beast" and "Empire of Madness" (both of them pressing very good shifts in the rhythms, allowing the vocals to show excellent shrieked tunes), "Mater Hominis" (a long and introspective song based on melancholic melodies), "A Spell to Dethrone" (this one shows that snowstorming riffs and charming instrumental arrangements), and... Oh, come on, these songs are so great that is a sin to not name (and listen) to precious pieces as "Prayer", "Seven Sins to End the World" and "Licht", for the album sounds a homogeneous unity.

Pay attention to SERVANT's name, and be sure: the tendency is that "Aetas Ascensus" can bring them to a higher level of recognition from Black Metal fans.