Gaerea – Coma

I wouldn’t be exaggerating when I say that in the barren landscape that is pure Black Metal, Gaerea stands as a rare ray of originality. I was there when Unsettling Whispers came out and was just as impressed as anyone else. Then came the crushing and lengthy Limbo, followed by the leaner and more dramatic Mirage. Now, Coma faces the difficult task of continuing a streak of innovation that few other contemporary Metal bands have been able to achieve. Can Gaerea keep us dreaming? Can it replicate the poetic anxiety that has defined its work so far? Come with me and let’s find out.

At first, Coma felt like a mere copy of Mirage. Both albums start in almost the same way, with a long, epic track that takes its time to explore its themes. Yet “The Poet’s Ballads” initially evokes more of Ulver. However, my worries were quickly dissipated as Coma introduces subtle yet evident changes to the formula. Yes, the songs remain lean, and the production is still compressed, but Gaerea has now fully embraced its potential as a MeloBlack band. The sonic assault takes a step back, allowing more room for heartache. Coma is a melancholic album; in fact, it’s the closest the project has come to sounding like Insomnium or any other Finnish MeloDeath band (just listen to “Coma” or “Shapeshifter”). Yes, it’s stranger than your usual Spotify habits, but Gaerea doesn’t play by the rules.

If Mirage showed that these guys can slow things down while keeping us engaged, Coma increases the contrast within tracks. There are many calm passages and heart-wrenching guitar work. Somehow, there’s a return to the cold and loneliness that Black Metal originally sought to portray. But don’t panic! There’s still plenty of catharsis here, so you can hug a pillow and cry out loud. The vocals remain among the most liberating forces in the genre. Yet, there are things to consider because this is a substantial change in sound. Even though it makes sense from a narrative perspective (as Gaerea aims to be more ethereal this time), I’m sure many of you won’t be on board.

Coma might be the logical next step for the band, but its strong reliance on melodies instead of just relentless blasting may puzzle some listeners. Additionally, the band isn’t becoming more technical, even though I believe the songwriting has become more bombastic. A good analogy could be the changes Fleshgod Apocalypse has undergone over time. However, all these concerns are minor compared to the usual issue that plagues all Gaerea albums: the production. It’s as oppressive as a Central Asian regime, loud even in its “soft” parts. It’s become clear to me that the band prefers this sound, and while it delivers greatly in the violent segments, a bit more dynamic range could benefit these new peaceful sections.

Gaerea has shown once again that it will do what it sees fit and won’t simply conform to Black Metal traditions. There’s respect for the old ways here, but once again, this band proves to be one of the most interesting and original acts in the scene. The race for the best Black Metal album of the year has become even more competitive. Coma seems to be another hit from a band that has become too big to fail, because even when it changes, it remains the same. Nobody else can sound like this, and nobody else can deliver this blend of poetic catharsis, fear, and beauty all at once. That deserves more recognition! So, let start!

Label: Season of Mist

Release date: 25 October, 2024

Website: https://www.facebook.com/gaerea

Country: Portugal

Score: waking up from an endless slumber, or 4.0/5.0