Band:	Aoria
Album:	The Constant
Style:	Post-rock, Progressive metal
Release date:	October 12, 2012
A review by:	BloodTears

01. A Slow Moving Storm
02. The Black Heart
03. Assassination
04. The Bleeder
05. You Really Gave It All, Didn't You?
06. An Overwhelming Calm

Many people might not recognize Aoria, but if we mention Niklas Sandin (Katatonia), Robin Bergh (October Tide) or Erik Nilsson (A Swarm Of The Sun), that will probably ring some bells. Making the direct assumption that Aoria will sound like those bands, however, is not the best approach to take. You might even draw parallels with some atmospheres and a certain 'feel' but this is something that attempts to be unique.

The best way to describe Aoria's The Constant is calling it a beautiful painting of music; only the melodies are the color pallet and the musicians are the artists. This is a debut album that is far from being innocent. Most of the colors you find in The Constant are something between grays, blacks and the darker tonalities. Not many bright yellows in there or rays of sunshine but rather a calmness that suddenly dives right into a black spiral of emotions. Aoria give us lulling post rock/metal sounds and roaring guitars as the melodies entwine and touch in a crescendo. There is an ever-present sadness in the music ("The Black Heart") connected to the grandiose of the compositions ("Assassination").

Apart from that, Erik Nilsson's voice is overwhelming and capable of generating a turmoil of emotions on the listener. He sings with such feeling (just listen to "You Really Gave It All, Didn't You?") that it destroys any attempts to ignore its influence. It is heartfelt and honest, which is something you don't find everyday.

With the running time of only 36 minutes though, it feels like there was more to give and the ending almost comes as an anti-climax. A little bit more of diversity wouldn't hurt, but ultimately The Constant is constantly good and intense. It has the cadence of a good mournful poem.