Atmospheric black metal act ÄERA announces new album “Phantast” ; releases first single “Fleisch und Knochen”!

German atmospheric black metal act ÄERA has announced the release of the band’s sophomore album, entitled “Phantast”, which has been slated for release on October 4 via Vendetta Records. With the track “Fleisch und Knochen”, the band has unleashed the first single today. Listen to the track here:

Over a meticulous two-year span, ÄERA‘s dedicated trio – Milan Sikorski, Simon Wiedenhöft, and Sven Strefel – poured their collective creativity into shaping the sonic landscape of their latest opus. Inspired by Christian Morgenstern’s mesmerizing work “In Phantas Schloss”, the band’s upcoming full-length album “Phantast” promises to take listeners on an extraordinary journey across both inner and outer realms, distorts perspectives and thus gives insights into a world outside of society constraints. “Phantast” creates a space full of possibilities and fantasy, but always with reference to reality to show contrasts and grievances.
 

Opting for a deliberately rawer musical approach, ÄERA embraced a grittier sound aesthetic for this release. An arrangement was also chosen in which the listener can more easily assign the individual instruments to the respective band member. Returning to Markus Stock’s prestigious Klangschmiede E studio for production underscores the band’s commitment to capturing their essence in its most authentic form.

Fusing influences from classic 90s black metal with contemporary post, ambient, and atmospheric black metal, ÄERA‘s music is characterized by drawn-out compositions that are emotional, dynamic, and energetically charged. The band’s name, rooted in an ancient German dialect where ÄER symbolizes ‘earth’, reflects the essence of their lyrical explorations drawn from the works of literary luminaries such as Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Christian Morgenstern. ÄERA‘s thematic pursuits encompass humankind’s detachment from nature, existential inquiries, cosmic fascinations, social and religious criticism, and natural romanticism.

Featuring robust yet intricate riffing, expansive melodies, mid-tempo drumming, atmospheric interludes, progressive elements, and rich lyrical narratives, ÄERA distinguishes itself as a force to be reckoned within the realm of black metal.

“Phantast” by ÄERA will be out on October 4 via Vendetta Records.