Shoegaze is a tendency that became famous in the past 10-15 years due the efforts and success of acts as ALCEST and AMESOEURS in fusing Black Metal with elements of the genre. In reality, the roots of Shoegaze are in bands as MY BLOODY VALENTINE, COCTEAU TWINS, DINOSAUR JR e THE JESUS AND MARY CHAIN, and it earns elements inherited from Post-Punk, Pop, Indie Rock and others, and it’s not a sin to link the genre to Space Rock and Progressive Rock. But leaving all this masturbation aside, it’s time to check “Aether”, the new release of the Italian duet HERMITH.

The songs were produced, recorded and mixed by Nick Magister (the mastermind of the band) at MN Studio (Biella, Italy) between 2022 and 2024, with mastering done by Øystein G. Brun at Crosound Studio (Bergen, Norway). The genre of the band requires a crystal-clear sonority due the different layers of musical elements, and it’s what the album bears, allowing the listeners to access all the musical elements of the band’s music. And what very good graphic works of Sofia Buratti of Silvatica Illustration (artwork, logo) and Nick Magister & Meuse Music Records (layout). The band’s music can be said as a form of ‘Metalgaze’ (in other words, fusion of distorted and heavy guitars of Metal with the elements of Shoegaze), rich with introspective parts and atmospheric/ambient elements, with bass, guitar and drums getting along charming keyboards/synths ambiences. It’s ethereal, melodic and melancholic, and can remind a lot psychedelic/lysergic traces of PINK FLOYD. But’s really charming and seductive, indeed.

If you’re into Shoegaze/Metalgaze/Blackgaze or ‘anything-else-Gaze’, “Heavens”, “Aether”, “Marigold”, “Black Moon Lilith”, “Divination” and “The High Priestess” are charming and excellent pieces of inspired music. The album sounds deeper, melancholic, charming and ‘full’, and it’s not a sin to say that their musical work can compete with ALCEST easily. Yes, “Aether” can be faced as a new step into Shoegaze/Post-Metal in some senses, and dive into HERMYTH’s music now!