Rating: 7.5/10
Release: 13 October 2013
Label: Galy Records

Aeternam, a band originating from Canada. However, this isn’t the place where they get their inspiration. No, for their source of inspiration we need to go a lot more to the east. The Middle-East to be precise. With ‘Moongod’, Aeternam releases their second full-length.
So, the Middle-East. This is not only heard in the lyrics, but also comes back in the music. Aeternam could perfectly be the melodic-deathmetal brother of Melechesh. As with Melechesh, melodic, Eastern guitar-riffs are a focus. However, Aeternam uses these riffs on a base of brutal epic death-metal.
The quality of the songs is excellent. Nice, pounding death-metal with a load of melody, sharp guitar riffs, and to complete the whole a layer of epic keys. Especially when the keys take a step forward, the music reminds me of Ex Deo.
However, this band has its strengths and weaknesses. The band excels at the fast paced death-metalparts. The slower parts are seemingly harder, with clean vocals that aren’t placed that well into the mix. The calm ‘Iram of the Pillars’ is therefore the perfect example, and it lowers the quality of the record as a whole.
All in all, Moongod is a nice pounding, though melodic record. Sometimes especially brutal, sometimes especially melodic; ideal!

Tracklist

1. Moongod 05:41
2. Invading Jerusalem 03:12
3. Cosmogony 04:50
4. Iram of the Pillars 03:52
5. Rise of Arabia 04:45
6. Xibalba 04:38
7. Descent of Gods 05:33
8. Idol of the Sun 03:38
9. Hubal, Profaner of Light 08:43