With "Luna" and "Aurora,” TRAUMEN VON AURORA release their third and fourth album as complementary works. They shine in finding a balance between melodicism and heaviness by combining Black Metal and Post-Rock: Guitar tremolos, blast beats and harsh vocals alternate with clean guitars, sidestick drumming and whispers, each accentuated by catchy piano melodies or spherical string harmonies. Added to this are Progressive elements such as unusual time signatures and rhythms. In a way, the two albums can be pictured as Yin and Yang: While "Luna" plays in winter and tries to develop more hopeful lyrical and musical moods out of a melancholic atmosphere, spring announces itself on "Aurora,” but not without memories of frost and dreariness...
(www.metal-temple.com) Songwriting: 10 / Musicianship: 10 / Memorability: 10
