GAEREA
Gaerea reach out beyond black metal’s borders
Mirage
SEASON OF MIST
Portugal’s scene-bursting black metallers recharge their Midas touch
EVER SINCE THEY
emerged as the bleakest thing in all of Portugal, you could argue on two fronts that Gaerea are black metal’s most exciting band. On one level, this quintet scream potential. They have a signature look – each member is hooded without as much as a pseudonym – and debut album
Unsettling
Whispers
was such an underground smash that it rocketed them onto Season Of Mist, home to Heilung and Abbath. Then there’s the musical level. Gaerea have categorised themselves as “cathartic black metal” and that hits the nail on the head. Their aggressive yet progressive suites are always invigorating, pulling from the most primal parts of death and sludge metal to keep the violence fresh.