AURA NOIR - Out To Die CD

New & sealed!

“Out to Die” is one ugly bastard of an album from the self-proclaimed ugliest band in the world. To give you an idea what it sounds like, imagine how Venom would sound if they were actually good. Throw in some Celtic Frost, Darkthrone, and Motörhead, and you’re ready to break your neck.

Not only is this Aura Noir’s strongest output to date, but what really struck me is that it’s also the first time they come up with a great production. Nothing against rawness, but their first album, “Black Thrash Attack”, is so unbalanced it’s just awful to listen to it. Which is a shame, considering it features some of the band’s best songs.

Since then, their album sound has become gradually better, without losing its raw edge. On “Out to Die”, the production is simply perfect. No instrument is too loud, the bass is very audible, and for the first time, Blasphemer’s trademark chaotic riffs sound as massive as they deserve to.

The songwriting has also improved. The songs are way more distinguishable than on the last album, 2008’s “Hades Rise”. The first song, while still good, is the weakest on this record, but from then on, it’s all killer, no filler. Aura Noir unleash a phenomenal tsunami of riffs. It’s fast, aggressive and mean, brutal yet catchy, an album for those who venerate the riff and rank fervor higher than virtuosity. It’s not flawless and certainly doesn’t intend to be, but, damn, what a blast! There’s a lot of thrash and, though they’ve moved further away from their roots, still quite a bit of black metal inspiration, but calling the mix black thrash doesn’t really do it justice. Aura Noir do their own thing, and ultimately, it’s just pure fucking metal – albeit extreme.