The 2010 debut album from California’s Son of Aurelius, The Farthest Reaches, drew an avalanche of critical acclaim and enthusiastic fan response. It made several of the Top 10 lists we published at the end of that year, including one from our own Andy Synn, who wrote this: “Son Of Aurelius have come seemingly out of nowhere with an epic, heroic take on the technical death metal genre, impressing nigh on everyone whom they have encountered. The songs on The Farthest Reaches have a character and individuality not usually found in the sort of music which usually contains technical wizardry of this level.”
So, when Son of Aurelius makes new music available, we sit up and pay attention, like good, obedient bloodhounds. That’s what happened today: Son of Aurelius started streaming a “pre-production” track off their next album. It’s called “Strange Aeons”, and it’s a strange choice as a musical tease for the next album. There are no vocals and no technical “wow” factor. It’s mid-paced, with prominent synthetic keyboards, and drums that sound programmed (though I doubt they are, with a beast like Spencer Edwards in the line-up).
In short, it sounds like a dreamlike mood-piece or instrumental interlude. Perhaps the plan is to add vocals later, but I can’t see vocals fitting with this music. As it is, it’s mildly interesting, but at least for me, nothing more than that. Have a listen after the jump and tell me if I’m a fuck for reacting so placidly.
By the way, is that an ass-kicking piece of artwork up there or what? I found it on SoA’s facebook page, but I don’t know what it is. New album cover maybe? And by the way (again), there’s no news I’ve seen about when the new album will be finished.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q43XjdGAS9E
Sounds okay. Nothing terribly striking to make it a “must follow up” for me. But if you put up a future song, I suppose I would click the PLAY button again.
I’m sure we’ll continue putting them up as they emerge. Their debut album was just too good not to continue paying attention.
I noticed on their Facebook page that the vocalist has left the band. It doesn’t look like they have replaced him yet, so that could explain the lack of vocals. I won’t be able to listen to the song until I get home from work, since I left my headphones at home this morning.
Well, that explains a lot. Thanks for the info.
No problem. Like you, I have been anxiously awaiting their second album. I really hope they don’t dissapoint with the next effort. I feel like since they set the bar so high with The Farthest Reaches that they will be hard pressed to even reach that level again, much less exceed it.
I’ll be their vocalist!