Formed in 2004, and hailing from France, it's been ten long years since Pagan Black Metal band ALDAARON have released an album. "Arcane Mountain Cult" is their newest album, and contains five songs. "Prologue" is the first cut; a brief introductory instrumental. Cold winds rise up from the North, with bleak and gloomy tones. Some light symphonic elements in the background support the feeling of clouds, and shadow.

It segues into "Pride and Sorrow," which features traditional Black Metal vocals, and some guitar harmonies, which are somewhat buried in the thick soup of instruments and drums. Depressive elements also waltz in, filling your soul with misery. The title track is a beast; at just under eleven-minute in length. More cold winds approach on the start of your journey, reminding you that the outdoor elements are nothing to take lightly. The blast suddenly hits your face, along with the coming of dark clouds and a storm that sweeps in too quickly for you to find shelter. It rages through the mid-way point when there is a brief reprieve, but it returns with a bang of thunder, even harder than before. "Morgoth" was Sauron's mentor in Lord of the Rings; the original "Darklord" if you will. The song is reminiscent of is coming into the world. Wherever he walks, shadows come with each footstep, along with a myriad of vile creatures. The cold fire that accompanies his presence burns the earth with absolute potency.

The lengthy "Adorned with Frost" closes the album. Just when you think things couldn't get viler, this track rolls in as thick as fog. Soft, clean tones follow, as the storm passes and light snow begins to fall. It is deadly quiet, but not for long. Some lovely guitar harmonies build in the middle of the song, followed by the return of the thick fog. The drums rage with an unbridled fury through nearly the end of the song, and then there is a depressive ending. This might be Pagan Black Metal, which is very close to the FWOBM bands of yesteryear, but it is also fairly creative in the sense of all of the other elements the band brings to the album. They could have just rested on the traditional sounds, as many bands do, but instead they pushed forward with creativity and diversity. I also love the cover art...very well done.