The DevilsHorns

Loss is the 5^th album by Portuguese black metal (?) band, Gaerea and is their first for the monolith that is Century Media Records. As ever, the band are shrouded in mystery, protecting their identity like a metal Banksy.

Album data first – Loss is 46 minutes long and has 9 tracks, and more importantly, is a massive step away from the traditional sound Gaerea made their name with in the early days. It is this change that, sadly, makes the album less accessible.

Opening track, ‘Luminary’, is an aggressive show of intent – this is the new Gaerea – keys support drums that have an utter disdain for subtlety as the guitars rage in the background. This is not black metal, this sound has a ‘…core’ about it, perhaps metalcore, but I don’t believe in made up genres. It is not an immediate opener and didn’t grab my attention.

drums again drive the song. You may have heard this track already, alas, the album doesn’t get much more interesting.

That is until, ‘Cyclone’ hits. It has a different approach, lighter, more welcoming and lacks the ‘..core’ feel of the others. Yes, I like this one, but it doesn’t really fit in with the rest of the album, well neither does the following ‘LBRNTH’, with an almost nonsensical ambient feel about it. Oddly placed in the album, it does little to raise the chances of a 2^nd listen.

Finally, we hit the last song. ‘Stardust’ opens with a clean vocal intro (where did that come from?) and it is 2 ½ minutes before the blackened ‘..core’ attack arrives to lower your spirits.

Following several excellent releases, I had high hopes for Loss, but ultimately, the changes Gaerea have made in their overall sound does not work for me. It is jarring, bitty and just not my vibe.

Kudos must be given to them for growing as a band, but alas, they have left me behind.

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