Gaerea – Loss

Metalcatto

Alright, it’s time. One of the most anticipated releases of the year has finally arrived. Love it or hate it, but nobody remains indifferent to Gaerea. I was skeptical at the beginning myself, and I still think Limbo remains their best work, though Coma came frustratingly close to dethroning it. So the question is: how is Loss going to top a remarkable run that almost no band has managed in the last ten years? We’ll see.

Let’s get one thing out of the way immediately. I don’t understand what people’s problem is with Loss having clean vocals. The band had reached a certain heaviness limit with its previous approach, so it needed a different direction to evolve. But no reason to throw your phone at the TV just yet, because Loss is still hostile and massive in its own way. It’s just also the most accessible work the band has done to date. Now you can go ahead and puke at how nauseating the word “commercial” is for your delicate sensibilities. I’ll wait.

Having said that, with Loss, Gaerea is signaling a clear departure from traditional Black Metal territory. If anything, this feels like a Post-Metal take on Rivers of Nihil—expansive, atmospheric, and unafraid to breathe between bursts of aggression. It’s breathtaking how loud this thing is at times. There were moments where Loss made me feel well, lost. Basically because the band I’ve been rooting for forever has changed its sound so dramatically. As in, if this thing doesn’t sell more records than its previous output, I don’t know what would.

They really like Color Theory

So instead of focusing on how divisive Loss is, or how pop-like it feels compared to anything the band has done before, I’ll offer more serious criticism. Tracks like “Submerged” and “Phoenix” are stunning, intense, and emotionally resonant—everything you want from a band evolving. But then you have other moments, particularly on certain tracks that almost feel auto-tuned in a way that clashes with the rawer elements (“LBRNTH” or “Stardust”). None of these tracks suck individually, but all together on a Gaerea album, they create a thematic dissonance that’s hard to ignore.

Loss is the album that will probably make Gaerea the most money the band members have ever seen (enough to do groceries). Nothing wrong with that. The band has given us enough jewels over the years to forgive this creative pivot. Loss is a great album by most standards. I’m just not sure if it’s a great Gaerea album though. I know that makes me sound like a gatekeeping old fart clutching his kvlt credentials, but sometimes diplomacy has its limits and we need to choose violence. I can’t wait to see you all killing each other in the comments over this one.

Label: Century Media Records

Release date: 20 March, 2026

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

Country: Portugal

Score: 3.5/5.0