63. Astralbourne - "Across The Aeons"

We love a bit of genre-splicing in metal. “Ohhh lets take the vocal characteristics from here and then let surgically attach it elsewhere”. In a nutshell “Across the Aeons” is power metal with gruff growled death metal vocals. It’s musical contours are epic and distinctly cinematic but instead of the usual velveteen tones serenading about swooping dragons and rambling hobbits, it is topped with harsh caustic vocals that are plucked from the very depths of hell. 

The juxtaposition works incredibly well and what can usually be a rather safe and pedestrian genre is given an additional nuance of danger and depravity. It grounds the album and provides a real textured feeling. I’m sure someone has thought of this combination before but I’ve never come across it executed so well.