There is one thing, that I’ve recognized Swedes are best at. And that is making music. It may come off as extreme or arrogant, but after so many years of working (mostly) with the Swedish scene, I feel entitled to my opinion.

It’s still a mystery how In Aphelion found me, but the truth is that they bit me like a starving wolf biting prey, and they refuse to let go, until they drain all of my emotions, perceptions and senses. After (the mentioned) years, in which I have heard just about anything, Sebastian and his In Aphelion drove me insane. Such a fever to find something, to listen to it, to write about it. Presenting to others hasn’t even been a thought for some of my long-time favorites, let alone a debut album. And as expected, I quite literally could not keep my composure, until I received the promo from EDGED CIRCLE PRODUCTIONS. And I hope to present it respectfully and to ignite in you this fire and insatiable hunger to listen to ‘Moribund’ again and again.

The album is far more than a perfect fusion of melody and power. Grandiose, but not pompous. Musically extravagant, but not annoying. Restrained and brutal, but not boring and repulsive. Imbued with the spirit of the 90’s and the deep beauty of the guitar music of that period. Each song on this album carries its own soul and character, even though the whole thing is „just Swedish Black Metal“. No, this is not „just Swedish Black“. This is a new reading of classical schools and sounds (not just extreme). This is the rich soul and experience of one musician. And let’s not forget to mention, that in ‘Moribund’ all the vocals are by Sebastian. A clean, technical harsh that emphasizes the impact of the music, and perhaps facilitates the „labeling“, but there is a lot more to it than just Black Metal.

„FIRE!“ „Draugr“ starts out with a bang, but a little later the solo is able to make you cry before the refined aggression of the next composition strikes you. The riffs flood you one after the other, the pinch of thrash, which is best felt in the opening track „World Serpent“, hardens and strengthens the rhythm before embarking on a dizzying race with our own existence – „Let the Beast Run Wild“. Will we hide from it? Like tiny mice constantly running after our own goals and illusory happiness. Tempo and attack are deadly, breathtaking. The riff and melody of „Luciferian Age“ keep you humming even after the song fades out, and the energy that the song charges is powerful. „This Night Seems Endless“ is the slowest and one of the longest running songs on the album. Astonishing is the way in which the beautiful, soft melody flows into the measured expansion, and then everything mixes into a spectacular melodic solo. Like a phoenix slowly shaking off its ashes and flying – strong, beautiful, and full of new life. But the pace is not slowing down… „GO!“ Do you have a drop of life left for more?! Beautiful, endless, immeasurable worlds to fly to.

In an interview, Sebastian shares that these were his personal riffs and melodies, and he did not have the intention to share them with the world when he created them. Eventually, things took a turn, and now the extreme world has a magnificent album. An album, that is both rooted in deep traditions and sound on the one hand of classical NWOBHM and thrash, on the other of Swedish Death and Black Metal, and incredibly innovative and contemporary in terms of sound and ideas. Sebastian is a musician, already honed and with vast musical experience, but ‘Moribund’ is beyond technicality and musical skills. ‘Moribund’ is a soul, emotions, personal experiences outside of the ordinary world. This album carries special messages and is loaded with supernatural energy. And we can only thank Sebastian for letting us into his world and gifting the extreme world a truly valuable, full-blooded, breathing album.

The end and the requiem of this record is… „Requiem“. This song is hard to describe. It just needs to be heard. It’s like a cry of despair, a last stop. When it was shared as an upcoming single, I commented on it, „This song is like our furious race through the life.“ Aggressive, melancholic and ruthless… This music evokes in me many more existential thoughts and extreme emotions, but I would rather keep them to myself. Just listen to ‘Moribund’ by In Aphelion. The album will be released on March 11th via EDGED CIRCLE PRODUCTIONS, and it’s available to pre-order here.

Unfortunately, my rating is limited only to 10 (what to do, rules gotta be followed!) ‘Moribund’ is an album, which like classic works, will be timeless and beyond any rating systems and scales. An album that turned me upside down and gave me a new look at the „so-called Black Metal“. An album that will stay with me for a very long time and will charge me on every level possible. This is exactly the music we sometimes need to get through our days.

Let them flames burn
Let them dance on the dead like flames do
Let the dead go
Let the night fall
Let it color your soul like nights do
Let it be you
Let the memories in
Let the memories sing like memories do
Never let them go.
Let your days end
Let your days end in the life you know
Let them go
Let the light fade
Let the light fade to black from gray
To night from day
Let the dead speak
Let the dead speak like only dead can do
Let their voices embrace you
Ring the bells
Let them sound far and wide
Ring the bells
Let the world hear our lament
Ring the bells
Let the final hymn chime
Ring the bells
For we have reached the end of our time

10/10