ASKARA „Lights Of Night”

Fastball Music & Bob-Media Distribution, 2022

Music: Gothic Doom Metal
Website:
https://www.askara.ch
https://www.facebook.com/Askaraband
Duration: 52:15 (11 tracks)
Country: Switzerland

The German label Fastball Music has never let me down! Perhaps because we have similar musical tastes. Once again I have the opportunity to enjoy the music from Switzerland. Although I only get to know the band ASKARA with this album.

The quartet comes from Basel, a famous European city where meet the borders of three countries – Switzerland, Germany and France. And besides it looks like the band is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year. So they can celebrate twice! On the tenth anniversary they released their second album!

The cover of the newest album has similar climates. The theme of the forest and the presence of a bird reappears. Forest darkness with the emerging light… And musically? The music is dark but the light shines through…

ASKARA gave me a sentimental and nostalgic journey to my past, specifically to the second half of the 90s, when I was intoxicated with, among others, very dark and melodic Metal. And the first thoughts fell on the beginnings of THEATRE OF TRAGEDY. A delicious combination of crushing heaviness and delicacy.

The music of “Lights Of Night” is bipolar. On the one hand, the powerful guitar riffs with low-tuned guitars present mercilessly heavy themes, and on the other hand, the delicate piano’s passages and melodies play out very melancholic phrases. On the one hand, the music is quite dynamic, sometimes it even sounds quite fast, and on the other hand, it slowly melts into the surrounding space.

Vocally, it is also bipolar. The monstrous growlings of the bass player (at times quite distorted with effects, sometimes polyphonic and more screeching, typical of Black Metal) spreads a terrible atmosphere, full of darkness and ferocity. It literally crushes! But Miril’s beautiful, even angelic singing brings relief. A very gentle, emotional singing that deepens the mood of sadness and despair. And such vocal coexistence brought associations with the first albums of THEATRE OF TRAGEDY (with Liv Kristine) and the beginnings of THE GATHERING (with Anneke van Giersbergen). In addition, at times you will also hear pure male singing. And the most wonderful moments of musical polyphony are when devilish-angelic singing sounds simultaneous. Or when heavy and predatory moments merge with melancholy. Or when mercilessly crushing djent guitars or faster riffs with a delicate piano create a whole. Then extreme emotions run wild!

And all time is melodic and very romantic, even poetic. However, the dominant mood is deep melancholy presented by guitar and keyboard melodies, neoclassical themes and of course by vocal parts. Although moments of anger and aggressive elation also appear. This range of arrangements, from Doom Metal patents to Gothic Metal moods are merged with a clear classical influence and a slightly progressive breath. This classicism combined with heavy growling Doom Metal brought back memories of HAGGARD.

The music has a strong influence on emotions and even creates a mood while listening. It contains very catchy melodies, many emotional ecstasies and stays in your head for a long time. One would like there to be no end to listening.

Tracklist:
1. The Birth Of A Star
2. Nocturne Of Cold Mystery
3. Through Fire
4. By God
5. To Ailsa Rock
6. Reprise: Harbour Lights
7. Hibernation
8. Dark Night Of The Soul Pt. I
9. Seven Years
10. Viator
11. The King’s Song

Line-up:
Miril Schmidt – Vocals/Piano
Benjamin Wiesli – Guitar
Elia Schmidt – Bass/Vocals
Raphael Gruening – Drums

Rate: 10/10