Metalcatto
Azure Emote’s Cryptic Aura is what happens when you combine Monstrosity with Eluveitie and Sirenia. If that sounds bizarre to you, you’re not alone. I wasn’t sure what to expect from such an eclectic group of musicians. To be honest, I had little time to overthink it—just got back from vacation, still in a food coma—but I figured this was a worthy shot to give a band some exposure. Whether that turns out good or bad remains to be seen, but one thing’s for sure: it’ll be honest. Even money can’t change our strong opinions at MER!
It’s almost silly to say this, but rarely has an album’s name been so spot-on. Cryptic Aura is truly an ethereal puzzle. Sure, there’s plenty of Death Metal in its DNA, and some Folk lines that seem like they shouldn’t work—but together, it all somehow clicks. It ends up sounding like one of those artsy “not really Metal” bands, except Azure Emote embraces the genre proudly. The closest comparison I can think of is Anareta, though this band is even weirder and more technical. Imagine Atheist, but with added violins and ambient interludes—seriously.
Another band that comes to mind is Sadist, not because of a direct style overlap, but because both bands thrive on being offbeat and unpredictable. That said, don’t get the impression that Cryptic Aura is some novelty project. This is serious music—an album that aims to blur subgenre boundaries without descending into chaos. You can tell the musicians are veterans, skilled at channeling emotion through both chaos and harmony. The album doesn’t drag or feel bloated. Despite its complexity, it avoids indulgent noodling and keeps things tight. It has just the right amount of wank, if you will.
That being said, Cryptic Aura won’t be for everyone. It’s deeply idiosyncratic—deliberately so—and some listeners may find that alienating. Personally, my biggest gripe came with the final track, “Writhing Lunacy,” which felt like a missed opportunity to end the album on a stronger note. Instead, it plays out like the most aggressively awkward sexy-time session ever put to tape. Also, while I respect the drum work for its precision, the overall drum tone felt too robotic for the otherwise organic and wild feel of the album. It stands out, and not entirely in a good way.
Still, if you’re tired of Death Metal that only delivers buzzing guitars and gorilla noises about your last trip to the landfill, Azure Emote offers a refreshing change. Cryptic Aura may go overboard at times with its daring experiments, but that’s part of its charm. It takes risks, and more often than not, it pulls them off. If you’re sick of the usual, give this a spin—it might just be the breath of weird, creative air you didn’t know you needed.
Label: Testimony Records
Release date: 25 July , 2025
Website: https://azureemote.bandcamp.com/
Country: USA
Score: 3.5/5.0
Metal Eclipse Reviews 