Info
- Band(s): In Aphelion
- Label(s): Century Media
- Release Format(s): 12" vinyl, CD
- Release Year: 2024
- Review Date: November 30, 2024
- Author(s): FelixS
With ‘Reaperdawn’ the Swedish/Dutch alliance of In Aphelion delivers their second full-length album, and while the band is regarded as a new band one could argue in many ways it actually isn’t. Not only because the band is comprised of a bunch of seasoned scene veterans with experience in bands such as Necrophobic, Dismember, Nifelheim, Grave, Entombed A.D., Pestilence and even Flotsam & Jetsam and Ross The Boss, but mostly because of In Aphelion’s mastermind Sebastian Ramstedt’s recognizable way of writing music. The band’s earliest recordings, including ‘Moribound’ their debut album from 2022, had so much “Ramstedt” written over it that even Beethoven in his last days was able to hear it.
And frankly, (again) nothing has changed in that formula. In fact, ‘Reaperdawn’ leaves me with about the same feeling as ‘Moribound’. Although it is not like an exact copy, but the differences between In Aphelion and the last two or three Necrophobic albums are really small, if not non-existent. Those obvious resemblances are not only found in the riffs and the trademark Ramstedt melodies, but also the way he sings and uses the vocal lines seems to mimic Necrophobic’s Anders Strokirk.
Well, let’s set a few things straight first. While the above might sound a tad negative, it is by far meant like that. Ramstedt’s talent is almost unparalleled in his field and he’s able to crank out some of the most alluring fast-paced riffs and melodies. It is just a bit hard to grasp why there was need for another band when Necrophobic is still around. I guess Ramstedt must have thought there was more material than he was able to release with Necrophobic, or whatever the reason, those who do have a knack for the most recent Necrophobic records are in for another treat.
‘Reaperdawn’ is yet again a well-crafted and almost perfectly executed example of deathly Black Metal of the melodic kind. If we were to dissect things into the nitty gritty levels, it could be said that In Aphelion might have a little less Death Metal in it, but the equal amount of Heavy Metal-tinged leads and solo’s makes it still as easy to swallow. To even such extent that it almost sounds poppy and starts to lose its bite, its aggression and its venom. I wouldn’t go as far as labelling ‘Reaperdawn’ as a Necrophobic or Watain-light, but especially in a song like ‘Further From The Sun’ the band strays quite far from metal’s nasty core and it tends to plod on in the background.
So, yes, you have read it right. ‘Reaperdawn’ is another album that can leave you a bit in two minds. On the one hand it sounds safe and maybe even a little cheap and easy, but on the other hand it is just well-executed and Ramstedt’s undeniable talent for writing catchy songs is still very much present throughout the whole album. It was certainly not a punishment to listen to this, but the question is whether you should spend your hard-earned pennies on this. If you were to ask my honest opinion, and apparently you are still reading this, I would recommend picking up one of Necrophobic’s later records instead.
Century Media
- Country: Germany
- Style: Black Metal, Death Metal, Doom Metal, Thrash Metal, Other
- Links: Homepage, Facebook, Instagram, Bandcamp, Youtube
