Gaerea – “Coma” Album Review: “Coma has everything: melody, progression, bloodshed, and plenty of energy…”
Gaerea has been one of the most potent forces in black metal. They combine mystic black metal with a gloomy atmosphere, offering a modern and mesmerizing sound. Even with several albums behind their belt, Gaerea continues to evolve. With Coma, Gaerea develops a more otherworldly approach with clean vocals and melodic riffing. But don’t think Gaerea ditched their extreme metal roots; Coma still holds songs that shatter bones and crush skulls.
Listeners can hear this change with the first song, “The Poet’s Ballet.” The song starts with a simple guitar riff intro and soft clean vocals. It takes some time for the song to kick in, but when it does, Gaerea ups it by a thousand. The vocals and drums are still brutal, but the guitars even sound more melodic. That said, Gaerea isn’t changing their sound too much; this first song still holds their traditional aggressive sound.
The next song, “Hope Shatters,” sounds like classic Gaerea. This track is both crushing and melancholic and doesn’t lose any of Gaerea’s authenticity. The song is searing from start to finish, and you won’t shy away from the pain.
Gaerea also holds another wordly element with this album. You hear that in a song like “World Ablaze.” The riffs sound larger than life but not too atmospheric to stray from their distinguished sound. This is also one of their more melodious songs but still holds an edge; this track doesn’t have clean vocals or simple riffing but shines Gaerea in a new light.
The title track, “Coma,” is a good representation of this album. This song starts with an intense vocal intro matched with classic melodic black metal riffing. “Coma is by far one of the heaviest songs on the album since it combines traditional black metal influences with a modern depressive twist. The song slows down toward the middle, but it doesn’t stay that way for very long. Gaerea comes back with their haunting chorus, shrouding the atmosphere in darkness.
“Reborn” is the most energetic and progressive song on the album. While most Gaerea songs follow the same formula, “Reborn” offers tempo changes and varying compositions. This unpredictability also makes it one of the most memorable tracks on the album. Even though the song flows in a different direction, it still retains Gaerea’s signature pulverizing sound.
“Unknown” conveys the title well. The song has a somber atmosphere, opening with mournful riffs that will leave an unsettling feeling in the listener. It doesn’t take long for the track to pick up energy, but it still feels like this song is digging into an unconscious world with off-kilter riffs and inhuman drumming. That said, this is one of the most raw and honest songs on the entire album. It’s best to let this song play and let your thoughts and emotions rise to the surface.
The album ends with “Kingdom of Thorns.” This song ignites many of the same feelings as the previous song, “Unknown,” but takes things further. “Kingdom of Thorns” combines different elements we see in every song. It has more dynamic tempo changes, a sorrowful atmosphere, and plenty of melody to keep things catchy. It’s a well-rounded song that will always leave the listener guessing. “Kingdom of Thrones” is the perfect track to end the album.
I can see why Gaerea called this album “coma.” It has a surrealist feeling, and the atmosphere makes it intoxicating. Coma has everything: melody, progression, bloodshed, and plenty of energy to evoke a response in any listener. This album took a bit to get used to, but you can’t break away once you absorb yourself in Coma. Even with the singles Gaerea released, fans are still unprepared for the otherworldly vibes this album conveys.
Rating: 9.5/10
