I think there is a difference between “progressive death metal” and “progressive” death metal: one is a genre that I adore and will go to war for and the other is a descriptor for death metal that is pushing against the boundaries of its umbrella parent; avant-garde. At least, that’s how Azure Emote’s new album, Cryptic Aura, uses this descriptor, as they not only create music that can be strange and off-putting, but they have also managed to make it cohesive and well-structured. Let’s discuss.

Before I start the review proper, I just want to mention that Cryptic Aura reminded me so much of Phlebotomized’s Clouds of Confusion that I had to go back and see if my mind was playing tricks on me. Perhaps this may have stemmed from the fact that the riffs in “Into Abyssal Oblivion” sound like those in “Dawn of Simplicity,” but this album became my reference point for Cryptic Aura, given their atmospheric similarity and their tendency to somehow make music madness comprehensible to those that don’t understand what’s going on.

First track “Into Abyssal Oblivion” starts with a guitar solo that whips the energy into a frenzy. However, once the death metal has been introduced, it switches into what I can only describe as a violin riff, giving the song a more sinister vibe. String instruments tend to be warmer in tone which gives the music it accompanies a sense of frivolity and, on occasion, a sense of majesty. However, the violin here doesn’t add any of that – it sounds misplaced, as if it doesn’t belong, but it works somehow. This becomes more apparent on “Insomnia Nervosa,” where the violin succeeds in giving the music that sinister feel. It’s supposed to haunt you, to make you nervous. It’s an indicator of things to come, of music that slowly veers into a different path that will continuously surprise you until the very end. Speaking of surprises, fourth track “Bleed with the Moon” steps into black metal territory, the keyboards adding an icy tone to the music that previously wasn’t there more. It punctuates throughout the song, as if indicating a shift towards experimentation. It ends with a violin solo that does nothing to calm the nerves, eliciting a sense of fear. This shifts straight into “Defiance Infernus,” picking right where the violin solo ended and sounding more like an off-key waltz. In addition, the music also has a mechanical sound to it, evoking the image of gears grinding in the background to operate a machine. If the electronica influence in the middle of the track is anything to go by, that’s the intent – Azure Emote works like a machine, things being added, reused, and reworked in real time to see what sticks. This amalgamation of different sounds, ranging from the usage of female vocals from the fretless bass equivalent on “Disease of the Soul,” creates texture and delivers on its promise of experimentation. This is highlighted on “Feast of Leeches,” a complex, dynamic song that easily encapsulates everything we have heard to great effect. While it feels like it breezes through, this song is easily the album’s emotional peak, having all its experimentation pay off here.

However, despite its creativity, one of Cryptic Aura’s main issues is how top-heavy it is. A lot of the album’s meat lies in the album’s first half with a stronger death metal emphasis that keeps the listener fully immersed in its madness. It is also the most cohesive part of the album, strong in both its structure and its intensity – it’s clear that Azure Emote had a vision for that first half, and then they decided to wildly experiment on its second half. The death metal aspects are still there, but you get more variety on the second half, especially with the introduction of female vocals, prominent use of blast beats, and a black metal influence that works well with the experimentation Azure Emote offers. However, the heavy-handed experimentation can also be considered an issue, as someone who might be more into the traditional aspects of death metal may make it through its first half before deciding that this may not be for them. Azure Emote’s ability to experiment and make a cohesive-sounding album is one of their greatest strengths, but the experimentation can be difficult to parse. Cryptic Aura rewards patience, and if the listener doesn’t have the stamina to listen to the album in its entirety, then they will have a hard time getting through and appreciating all the musical layers it offers.

All in all, Cryptic Aura rewards those with the patience to listen to the album in its entirety. Yes, it’s chaotic, maddening, and bordering on the avant-garde, but listening to how all of this plays out is a journey all on its own. Because of its complexity, you might have to listen to the album multiple times to see if you can pick up on the various threads Azure Emote has placed. Your mileage with Cryptic Aura may vary if you are looking for “progressive death metal,” but if you are looking for something more “progressive,” then this album will be something more your speed. Personally, Cryptic Aura is a fantastic record and one I heavily enjoyed. It’s one I will be visiting at the end of the year, even if it’s just to have more time with it.

— Hera

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Cryptic Aura is available now on Testimony Records. For more information on Azure Emote, visit their official Facebook and Instagram.