The Ultimate Review of Mansions of Eternity

One of the United States' most underrated death/black metal acts surely must be Maryland-based Aurora Borealis. The band’s beginnings can be traced to Atlanta, Georgia metal band Lestregus Nosferatus, who formed in the mid-to-late 1980’s. The band is centered around producer/engineer Ron Vento (vocals, guitars, bass, keyboards) and a pool of session musicians. While the band initially cut a rough demo at a rehearsal studio in Atlanta, Georgia it was the Morrisound produced “Mansions Of Eternity” that became its first true calling card. Dealing with Egyptian subject matter lyrically, and having Puerto-Rican skinsman Tony Laureano (later of Angelcorpse, Malevolent Creation and Nile) behind the drums it is an often overlooked but vital part in the Aurora Borealis catalog. The EP is a majestic platter of European death/black metal that is melodic, technical and truly epic sounding in parts. It is the template for all of the band’s later recordings.

“Mansions Of Eternity” comprises of three new tracks, and two re-recorded tracks from Vento’s previous outfit. The three new tracks display a greater understanding of what the older demo tracks sought to accomplish. The standout tracks of the EP are ‘Weighing Of the Heart’ and the refurbished ‘Slave to the Grave’. The former for its overall intensity, crunchy rhythms and restless drumming while the latter is remembered for its highly atmospheric sounding keyboard intro with chilling chiming funeral bells. The ominous 80-second intro section to this track is the definite high water mark of the EP. There are some superficial similarities with Cenotaph track ‘Tenebrous Apparition’ (from the 1992 “The Gloomy Reflections Of Our Hidden Sorrows” demo tape) in its usage of minimal keyboards, but the Aurora Borealis song sounds more controlled and elegant in its construction. All of these three new tracks are significantly morFinal Score: 82 / 100