Aro Ora – The Twelfth Hour
Release Date: 22nd March 2024
Label: Self Released
Stream
Genre: Modern Death Metal, Prog, Atmospheric Metal.
FFO: Scarred, Kadinja, Tardive Dyskenisia.
Review By: Metal Miguel
Aro Ora emerges as the beacon of hope to welcome back music from bands that seem to fall off the metal radar. Following their EP, Mahara (2015), and their album, Wairua (2019), their latest release, The Twelfth Hour, ushers the band into an exciting new chapter. This transition is marked by the addition of Quentin Dabouis (Chrones) as the lead vocalist and Clément Douam (First Draft, ex-Chevalien) on the bass, revitalizing the band’s line-up.
At its core, Aro Ora epitomizes metal in its most contemporary form, eagerly embracing a fusion of styles. Their music seamlessly blends death metal’s raw intensity with atmospheric layers, enriched by a compelling mix of groove, mosh-worthy sections, and melodious elements. The band also showcases a remarkable vocal range, from clean to growling tones, meticulously executed to enhance the lyrical content. Their lyrics address pressing concerns such as the rise of fascism, environmental degradation, and species extinction, alongside themes of life’s joy and hope, so they can be firmly placed in with the likes of Textures or Gojira for their immensely catchy songwriting and riffs. The band’s skilful merging of genres, combining the ferocity of death metal with atmospheric and melodic elements, serves as a backdrop to their compelling themes, enhancing their impact. The varied vocal techniques employed by Aro Ora further amplify the emotional depth and complexity of the message, making it accessible to a broader audience without sacrificing its intensity.
This album stands out for its bold thematic exploration and welcomes back a piece of music that I believe rings true of bands like Luxembourg’s “Scarred” which have long fallen off the radar but the elements of prog, and blistering metal riffs that underground bands over the years have shown, like Tardive Dyskinesia, which if you haven’t heard of you really should – one of the best things to come out Greece in a long time and sadly no more. But you can even draw parallels to Textures of the Netherlands, Caliban from Germany and even the mighty Candiria. These are merely ways to express a similarity in overall tone rather than sounding like any of these bands, and if you are aware of the ones mentioned then you’ll know exactly what I’m trying to articulate, as this album is a belter!
This will be my first high scorer for the year, and well deserved, as there are 44 minutes of groove and riff-laden awesome with a sweet mixture of heavy and clean vocals which is all wrapped up in a well-produced and written album that will have you enjoying the beat and swinging your thing within the first few seconds. The Twelfth Hour, therefore, is not just an album; it’s a statement. It challenges listeners to reflect on critical global issues, all while offering an audibly rich and engaging experience. By doing so, Aro Ora not only cements its place in the metal scene but also elevates the genre, proving that music can be both a form of entertainment and a catalyst for change.
(5 / 5)
