Lunar Aurora - Weltenganger
Voices Productions
Black Metal
6 songs (47:49)
Release year: 1996
Reviewed by Tony
Archive review

WOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! I am immeasurably excited! I got $150 in gift cards over the Christmas and birthday I had and so far I have raked in some rare and fantastic records. Some of them have to literally be shipped across the world and I am dealing with some issues with the Amex gift cards but that is beside the point. If that wooooo at the beginning concerned you, no this is not another Little Richard review. It is Lunar Aurora week! I have made it a goal of mine to collect every album of their reputable discography and review it here on MR. Some of the albums are significantly rarer than others, and I was lucky enough to obtain one of these in questionable condition from Australia, but none of that matters. Once that disc slips into your player you are carried off to an eerie, spooky, world which enthralls you, appalls you, and dazzles you all in one.

One of the hardest duties by far that I have undertaken as a reviewer is trying to put into words just what makes Lunar Aurora such a special band. Could it be the raw instrumental talent? The songwriting? The mysticism? Amorphous and concrete, formulaic yet unpredictable, every Lunar Aurora album brings something new to the table that blows you away. The album in focus here is Weltenganger, another Lunar Aurora album that reads like a high definition Audubon street sign. If there is one consistency in the music industry, it is that Lunar Aurora will never disappoint. The band brings something new to the table every time they hit the studio. So, as a reviewer, it is one of the most difficult bands to put into type. Some of the things that Lunar Aurora do are just so special that you only can understand by hearing it for yourself. As always, the cover art is an incredibly scary. I am very squeamish and spooked easily, so these covers always get to me. But they do so much to communicate the message that Lunar Aurora bring to the table. Lunar Aurora seem to always open a beautifully moving track that sets the tone for the rest of the album. Unlike so many records in every genre though, the first song does not make way for disappointment. Instead, the floodgates are opened for fathomless beauty, scintillating musicianship, and razor sharp darkness that slashes you like an obsidian blade.

The first song on the album is Grabgesange. This is the first track on Lunar Aurora’s first full length. It is pretty evident that from here on there is a reason why the band’s discography is hailed as a champion of Black Metal and why Lunar Aurora are amongst the most respected bands in the world. The songs on each album vary anywhere from 6 or 7 minutes to 10 to 12. Unlike so many bands that draw out their tracks for atmosphere, there is never a dull moment where a riff is idly played for several minutes. Of course, I am not taking a dig at acts like Drudkh or Wolves in the Throne Room who thrive on this style and atmosphere. Lunar Aurora find ways to play very long songs and keep you guessing and on your toes the whole time. After a short couple of seconds what could possibly be an axe execution (it would be easier if I knew German) the song breaks in with about three or four different riffs and rhythms thrown at you in a flurry. It takes less than a minute to realize why Lunar Aurora are my favorite band. The riffs and drums never stop churning. The endurance and precision of Nathaniel on the kit has me in awe. What is incredible about it, is the transition he can go to along with the incredibly guitars. Coming from a drummer who has made strides of up to 5 years of practice in less than 2 (people with Tourette’s can be blessed in music or athletics, much like the autistic. I just happened to have a ton of potential in drums), the transfer from machine gun blast beats to firing off cymbals and snares to a blur of double bass fury is extremely difficult. But just when you think that this song has brought all it can to the table (and trust me, that is more than enough to be billed as unbelievable), the keys go from the moaning choir sounds in the background to the forefront of the entire mix. A simple piano sound and an even more rudimentary rhythm is brought forth. It appears several times in the song, during blast beats and several other points. For some odd reason, this piano is one of the most moving, beautiful, rudimentary pieces I have ever heard in music. It truly makes the track, as if the rest of the band did not already. Lunar Aurora start their full length career declaring their mastery of their respective instruments and the artisan songwriting. The majesty of Grabgesange is a microcosm of the dreamlike sound Lunar Aurora would summon forth on every one of their albums. Next up is Rebirth of an Ancient Empire. This is one of their few songs with an English title. What is best about this track is the riffs. They wind and bend like a steep and frozen mountain trail. Unpredictable, textbook drumming works together with the riffs to establish one of the most ferocious songs on the album. This is one of the first signs that show just how unbelievable the sheer endurance of Nathaniel is.

Into the Secrets of the Moon and Schwarze Rosen round out this debut. Complete with spooky melodic passages, blitzkrieg blasts and double bass, and scorching German vocals, Weltenganger is one of the finest debuts I have ever heard in Black Metal. Lunar Aurora proved that right out the gate they came to play hard. Very rarely does a band debut with such strength, let alone play with consistency yet continue to move forward with innovation, bringing a new niche to their array each and every album. Weltenganger is a must buy for any fan of the genre.

Killing Songs :
ALL
Tony quoted 96 / 100
Other albums by Lunar Aurora that we have reviewed:
Lunar Aurora - Hoagascht reviewed by Tony and quoted 83 / 100
Lunar Aurora - Ars Moriendi reviewed by Tony and quoted 89 / 100
Lunar Aurora - Seelenfeuer reviewed by Tony and quoted 93 / 100
Lunar Aurora - Mond reviewed by Tony and quoted 93 / 100
Lunar Aurora - Andacht reviewed by Tony and quoted 100 / 100
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