Holy crap these guys put out a lot of albums in a short amount of time. I had no idea when I picked this up that they would release a new album each of the following years through 2023, each one of those have their own merits but none of them have come close to the glory that is the debut.
While many of the albums that were after this would feature more intricate riffs, better production, and arguably better arrangements to the songs - So fallen alle Tempel has two things going for it. One, it feels genuine and has a raw energy to it that is not in any of the future releases. It also has an incredible atmosphere that focuses on Gregorian chants and replicating the feeling of being within a church.
The feeling of being inside a huge cathedral while also successfully channeling the feel that this album is indeed a religious experience in and of itself is SO incredibly rare. I can think of a handful of albums off the top of my head that do it as well as Aara do here.
The way the riffs swirl around without stopping. The way the music reverberates within itself, mimicking a great hall or giant place of worship. The way the vocals are pushed to the back of the mix somewhat while still having a visceral intensity to them. The way the songs are given enough time to marinate and truly get burned in my brain, much like a hymn of the past. The way the choirs are used as a primary component of most of the songs.... all of it works together in perfect harmony.
This is an album I listen to every few months to a year, and every time I forget how good it is. Every time I put it on I sit back and go "damn, this is way better than I remember." How many albums can do that? How many albums can continually impress me over and over again - even after dozens of listens? I don't know the answer, but I do know that the number is low.
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