Aetere – Théogonie

Aetere
Théogonie
Label: Octopus Rising
Out: 5th June 2026
Playing time: 45:19

The French Doom Metal duo Aetere was formed in Bordeaux in 2017. Their trademark is slow-moving, ritualistic compositions steeped in myth. Singer, bassist and guitarist Alice Ronzini has her roots in the French Garage Punk underground. Added to this are ethereal influences from her Folk solo project, Ailise Blake. Her musical partner in crime, Johan Sebenne, provides droning riffs and textured atmospheres. Here, influences from his work with the Post Metal band Year of No Light and his Ambient Electro-Acoustic solo project Lacustre come to the fore. Their debut album ‘Théogonie’ is due for release in June.

The heavily distorted guitars on the instrumental track ‘Ténébrisme’ sound abysmally evil. The only accompaniment is a few ethereal-sounding vocalised choruses. The riffs roll out of the speakers at a very slow pace. Synth sounds are layered in the background. But a few clean guitar chords can also be heard. And ‘Galea’ continues in exactly the same vein. The deep, distorted guitars dominate. Then Alice Ronzini’s equally ethereal vocals kick in, underpinned by synth melodies. Can it get any deeper, any more distorted, any more diabolical? Yes, “Cilice” proves exactly that. The air seems to be vibrating. This is accompanied by subtle drumming. Actually, that says it all about the sound on this album. Even in the second part, with “Thanatos”, “Innocence” and “Eudaimona”, there are only slight nuances.

‘Théogonie’ is a gloomy Funeral Doom album. It offers little in the way of musical variety. This certainly won’t appeal to every Rock or Metal fan. But if you listen carefully, you’ll repeatedly discover subtle nuances that make the songs just a little bit distinct from one another. Vocally, the duo has limited itself to the ethereal vocals of Alice Ronzini. Whilst Johan Sebenne is clearly responsible for the dark, gloomy sound.

Aetere – Cilice: https://youtu.be/I2wXEOac2rs?si=RP1TRve6wCJQixNB

Lineup:

Alice Ronzini – Guitar, Bass, Vocals
Johan Sebenne – Synths, Bass, Programmierung

Track list:

• Ténébrisme
• Galea
• Cilice
• Thanatos
• Innocence
• Eudaimona