Aura Noir – Out to Die (2012)

The self-titled ugliest band in Metal, Aura Noir, finally returns with a powerful new release titled “Out to Die”. Comprised of eight Black/Thrash Metal pieces, the band is ready to reclaim their throne and riff listeners into submission. With their signature down-and-dirty sound, the band delivers a very solid effort that will please all their fans and keep their legacy ugliness rolling.

Lead by Apollyon (of Immortal fame), the band pummels through extremely catchy songs without any dull moments. Opening with the intense “Trenches”, the signature dirty Black/Thrash sound of Aura Noir is immediately present. Intense riffing and commanding drums beat the listener into submission with tracks like “Fed to the Flames”, “Abbadon”, and “The Grin from the Gallows”. The band ability to make simple yet very catchy songs is excellent, and with the vocals being strong and firm, we are more inclined to like this band more than Kreator and such.

With a punk-ish Black’n’Roll intensity, “Withheld” is a pretty intense track that immediately caught our attention, and it also nicely keeps the flow of the album going. The riffing onslaught brought by “Priest’s Hellish Friend” reminded us of a Thrash version of Immortal, a magical thing we might add. This track is our favorite of the album, since it delivers waves of pounding guitars, an intricate bass guitar line and a very rhythmical drum track.

The production on “Out to Die” is just perfect to fully reflect the nasty sound the band has and the rawness of their music, on the closing tracks “Deathwish” and “Out to Die”, this is very clear and makes them even better. Don’t get us wrong and think this album sounds bad, it just sounds like Aura Noir is intended to be (both live and on record).

As one of our favorite Black/Thrash releases of 2012, we have to fully recommend “Out to Die” to any fan of the band. The band has produced eight tracks of brilliant music, that while simple and raw, it is almost perfect. The band’s ability to sound fresh and intense with their own brand of music is just astonishing and this release perfectly reflects that.

Release: March 27th, 2012

Country: Norway