Released 8 years ago today
Arcane Astral Aeons
Sirenia · 2018
59 min · 12 tracks · gothic metal
A haunting tapestry of orchestral arrangements and heavy guitar riffs creates an immersive gothic soundscape.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
In Styx Embrace — Opening with a powerful orchestral introduction, this track sets the dark tone for the album while showcasing Sirenia's signature blend of heavy metal and melodic elements.
-
→
Love Like Cyanide — This standout track combines catchy hooks with heavy riffs, illustrating the band’s ability to intertwine melody with aggression, making it a fan favorite.
-
→
Queen of Lies — Featuring a compelling vocal performance from Morten Veland, this song highlights lyrical themes of deception and betrayal, encapsulating the album's darker motifs.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album combines orchestral elements with metal effectively, though it follows established gothic metal patterns.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features a consistent use of orchestral arrangements layered over heavy guitar riffs, creating a dense soundscape.
- Several tracks incorporate contrasting dynamics, with softer, melodic sections leading into powerful, aggressive choruses.
- The album includes multiple tempo shifts, particularly noticeable in tracks like 'Asphyxia' and 'The Voyage', which enhance the dramatic effect.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- long, immersive listening sessions
- steady, consistent energy levels
- gradual builds and payoffs
- atmospheric background focus
Where this album fits
- Career context
- By the time 'Arcane Astral Aeons' was released in 2018, Sirenia had already established a solid reputation in the gothic metal scene. This album marked their seventh studio release and followed the band's 2016 effort, 'Dim Days of Dolor,' showcasing a continued evolution in their symphonic style while introducing new musical elements.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Epica· Nightwish· Within Temptation
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
-
Desire
The verses build tension through vivid imagery of longing and obsession, culminating in a powerful chorus that shifts to a more desperate tone.
The transition from introspective verses to an explosive chorus reflects the internal struggle between desire and its darker consequences.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 In Styx Embrace 6:00
- 2 Into the Night 4:40
- 3 Love Like Cyanide 5:49
- 4 Desire 5:15
- 5 Asphyxia 5:37
- 6 Queen of Lies 3:55
- 7 Nos heures sombres 4:30
- 8 The Voyage 5:10
- 9 Aerodyne 4:40
- 10 The Twilight Hour 4:04
- 11 Glowing Embers 5:32
- 12 Love Like Cyanide (edit) 4:06
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.