Austaras, hailing from Chicago, have released their album Prisoner of Sunlight, their first release after their EP in 2011. And boy, it was worth the wait!
The sound of Austaras is described as atmospheric progressive metal, or, according to their promo, they are “blending the band’s atmospheric black metal roots with elements of jazz fusion, post-rock ambience, and classic synth-laden progressive rock “. That might sound like something overly complicated, but the result is soul-moving beauty and perfection. What strikes me from the very first track of Prisoner of Sunlight is the craftmanship that has gone into this album. Self-released albums tend to be iffy in the sound balance, mixing and production, but Austaras have produced a high-quality album. The musicians also master their instruments in an impressive way.
Prisoner of Sunlight is a theme-album, and it follows the journey of an outcast soul to the inhospitable ends of the Earth. More than anything, the album feels like an inward journey to me, taking me through a host of emotions.
While the Youtube teaser does not do any justice to the range of emotions and soundscapes that Austaras are producing, I want to encourage you to check out this band in more detail. Prisoner of Sunlight showcases some serious talent.
Tracklist
- Deserter
- Thrones
- Refractions
- Threshold
- Ossify
- Fractures
- Reflections
- Seaworthy
Label: self-released
Website: https://www.facebook.com/austarasband
Score: 8,5/10
