Aeternus’s fourth full-lenght album Ascension of Terror the logic follow-up of their 1999 release Shadows of Old. The band has obviously explored the boundaries of extreme metal and developed their own concept, labelled by the band as dark metal. Inevitably death and black metal influences, ranging from Morbid Angel to Immortal, are recognizable but Aeternus has more than ever before succeeded in elaborating and fine-tuning their own particular style. Songs like ‘Possessed by the Serpent’s Vengeance’, ‘Denial of Salvation’ and ‘ Ascension of Terror’ are characteristic in this respect. Heavy, brutal and yet treacherously melodic through it’s structure and riffs.

The sinister atmosphere that is present throughout the album is enforced by Ares’s deep grunts and the in general mid-paced songs in which heaviness is emphasized rather that speed. But those who love it fast and furious won’t be disappointed either with a track like for instance ‘Burning the Shroud’. With Ascension of Terror Aeternus has definitely left their mark in today’s overcrowded death / black / ‘you name it’ metal scene. On their most intense and hateful album up to now the band managed to developed their rather unique and distinguishable sound even further, and this is a rare quality these days.