Dismal Aura - Imperium Mortalia (2023)

Seemingly a straightforward Black Metal outfit, Dismal Aura is a lot more than that as “Imperium Mortalia” showcases. Released via Avantgarde Music, this release delivers around 30 minutes of atmospheric and well crafted Black Metal with subtle influences from the Post-Black Metal scene. With similarities to bands like Saor, Winterfylleth, and Advent Sorrow, this release is quite melancholic and aggressive at the same time.

Opening with the harshness of “Blood Quantum” and “Les Allumetieres”, this release really warms up with the crafty “One Path, Many Voices” and its eerie melodramatic vibes. The band’s ability to switch things up and have very aggressive onslaughts amongst mid-tempo passages makes songs like “Essence of Petrichor” and “And Their Blood Shall Be Upon Them”, perfectly balance the duality of their old-school rawness with their more subtle atmospherics.

The intensity of “Weaponizing Human Suffering” and “The Orphan Source” create a very aggressive contrast to more introspective pieces along the middle of this release. Overall, “Imperium Mortalia” is a pretty solid release that clearly diverges from the norm. The band’s label, Avantgarde Music, is known for finding unique acts and Dismal Aura is definitely a different band with a powerful sound, so make sure to give them a try.

Label: Avantgarde Music

Release: September 29th, 2023

Genre: Black Metal

Country: Canada