Lunar Aurora - Ars Moriendi
Ars Metalli
Black Metal
9 songs (47:11)
Release year: 2000
Reviewed by Tony
Archive review

Another Lunar Aurora album has arrived in the mailbox to make my day! This rarity was shipped all the way from Australia. Without hesitation I shred the box and open to immediately notice a different looking cover. While the eerie image still remains, the font of the album title: 2000’s Ars Moriendi, maintains a different appearance. Could these aesthetics mean anything? This was one of the toughest albums to track down, with the two most elusive remaining unfound. The most difficult album being Of Stargates and Bloodstained Celestial Spheres. I swear I will get my hands on that. With only one album wedged between Ars Moriendi and the brilliant career openers in Weltenganger and Seelenfeuer, it was not hard to anticipate another magnificent opus from these German masterminds.

Immediately after following another ambient intro, Damonentreiber opens the album with a noticeably different feel. The very first riff is thrashy, not bearing the usual ambiance of an opening riff played by Lunar Aurora. Soon after the usual keyboards do indeed emerge. They are loud, sometimes too overbearing at parts, but always are one of the most important additions to the sounds of Lunar Aurora. Within the first two tracks, Ars Moriendi shows a similar flair, with the vocals sounding much like their other early works. The drums here once again are a true highlight. While in their 12 year career the band has been through many drummers, each one they have hired have played with remarkable proficiency. The riffs are mostly tremolo picked with good quality speed and precision. The guitars have a great tone, but are very treble heavy and tend to fall behind in the mix when the keyboards flow through. Black Aureole has an interesting synth intro that leads to rapid blast beats and riffs. Not because of the skill, but due to the mix, the guitars are sometimes drowned out, especially during the main parts of this song. This is the primary drawback of the album. The volumes could have been better. The monstrous wall of sound that blew me away on later albums like Mond and Andacht would have suited Ars Moriendi perfectly. However, the reverb placed upon the drums (which especially is noticeable in slower portions of songs,) makes for a live, organic vibe. None of the tracks have the epic feel that songs on Weltenganger and Andacht bore. This is not a problem. This is a different direction for Lunar Aurora. It is a more forthcoming, accessible album, with songs of varying but not stagnant lengths, riffs and drumming that always deliver, and of course the wonderful aid of the keyboards to bring the lunar atmosphere to fruition. This is for the fan who would rather not listen to twelve minute songs, with cascading melodies and beautiful leads. This album will do for each and every Black Metal fan. It brings it all to the table: songwriting, talent, rhythm, yet fails to achieve what other albums have in the production department. When a band plays a masterpiece and it falters due to their producer, it is a true source of disappointment. Ars Moriendi is an excellent album. It is not void of faults, but will keep even the casual Black Metal fan hungry for more.

Killing Songs :
Damonentreiber, Black Aureole, Beholder in Sorrow, Aasfresser
Tony quoted 89 / 100
Other albums by Lunar Aurora that we have reviewed:
Lunar Aurora - Hoagascht reviewed by Tony and quoted 83 / 100
Lunar Aurora - Seelenfeuer reviewed by Tony and quoted 93 / 100
Lunar Aurora - Weltenganger reviewed by Tony and quoted 96 / 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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There are 4 replies to this review. Last one on Fri Mar 11, 2011 11:55 pm
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