review by: Roberto Martinelli

It took a bit longer than Ares promised (please see the interview from issue #2), but the MCD Burning the Shroud finally made it. Well, it's a mini-CD, and it's not. Half of it is live tracks, but the album is 52 minutes long.

The first song is off of the upcoming album, Ascension of Terror. As Ares said, it's a bit more thrash than the material on the band's most recent album, Shadows of Old. Mind you, don't be expecting to be reminded of Destruction or Sodom. The song is pretty close in style to Shadows of Old's ripping dark/death metal, but is less technical and features fewer rhythm changes. For long-time Aeturnus fans who also liked Shadows of Old, it still totally sounds like the band we love.

Track 2, "Midnatt Storm", will begin to remind you of what really made you fall in love with Aeturnus (I'm thinking of the first two full-length albums), as the song opens with a piano piece. The remainder of "Midnatt Storm" has some piano bits and Nordic melodies that will make you feel nostalgic for the band's finest hour, And So the Night Became.... Quite unlike Aeturnus, "Midnatt Storm" wraps rather abruptly and prematurely, but how much can one really expect from a B-side?

Track 3 is a re-recording of "Raven and Blood," originally found on the band's first MCD, Dark Sorcery. It's identical musically, but with much clearer production. I kind of prefer the original vocals, as they sound more obscure and bodiless.

The next four tracks are excellent live cuts, with each of Aeturnus' three full-length albums being represented. The last three songs are re-released from the band's 7" picture disk/bonus track from the re-release of Dark Sorcery. If you have the special edition 2CD version of And So the Night Became…, you already have these tracks. The first of the three is an alternate version of the Shadows of Old song "Dark Rage," but with the pre-drum trigger (and better) production. The last two of the three are in the band's early, slower and heavier style.

This MCD is a very welcome addition to the discography of this sadly under-appreciated band, but will best be enjoyed by longtime fans. Those unfamiliar with the band are strongly recommended to start with And So the Night Became…