From their EPK, “AVERNUS didn’t make the breakthrough evidenced by their early talents and hard work. Recording a couple more demos the band wallowed in obscurity in the 2000s despite the efforts of remaining constant member, founder Rick McCoy. AVERNUS slowly crumbled away. But things never truly die and nostalgia for the group was urged by fans and even band members and slowly the pieces were assembled, reunion shows played and new music written culminating in the song released today and the forthcoming full-length album. By far the most cohesive and powerful recording assembled by a more experienced and yet calmer heads to create truly a masterwork. Forward to now… we finished recording a full-length record. Somehow the stars aligned and the conditions were right.”

The album has ten songs, and “Calling the Void” is first. It’s an introductory instrumental, leading to “Nemesis.” The is a long clean introduction, leading to heavy, weighted riffs that are not without some melody. The harsh vocals are guttural and deadly, but the riff is fairly simple. I rather enjoy the clean interlude that connects the first half of the song with the second however. “Exitus” has a slow moving riff with more gutturals, and more melody. The melodies are somewhat subtle, but they keep the album interesting so far, and the bass work is excellent as well. “Plateau” is a short, three-minute instrumental that features clean guitar tones and much melancholy. “Return to Dust” also has a fairly simple riff, and it’s not that the band isn’t able to extract some sad melodies from this sound, it just makes it a bit repetitive to listen to as a reviewer.

“Open Arms” is another short instrumental. I like these pauses, they help to break up the overwhelming sense of Doom that you get from the lengthy songs on the album. This one has monumental tones. “Utter Euphoria” is also on the shorter side, and it shows the band’s capabilities when it comes to thinking outside of the box. I love the electronic tones in this song, and the thick bass notes. “Abandoned” feels like the noise and things one might extract from a black hole…nothing. Smooth keyboards and backing ambiance hold down the song. “Quietus” closes the album. It has an almost jovial melody, as jovial as Doom can be, along with a powerful presence, mostly from the heavy, pounding riffs and guttural vocals.  

Being an Old School Doom and Death Metal band, one can’t expect a metamorphosis in their sound, nor a rebirth into a totally different act. This is classic Doom Metal, done in the same manners as it was created decades ago. I was hoping to hear the band take a few more chances, but the ones that they did where excellent, and I am glad they are back making music once more.