In Aphelion - Luciferian Age - CD EP

A veritable treasure trove of Swedish black/death royalty, IN APHELION are a power-trio originally formed in 2020 by longtime Necrophobic guitarist Sebastian Ramstedt on vocals, guitar, and bass with prolific drummer Marco Prij. In 2021, with the advent of their debut demo, fellow Necrophobic guitarist Johan Bergebäck joined, making the unholy trinity complete. An impossibly auspicious first start, IN APHELION's first demo - despite being limited to a mere 50 copies - landed the band a deal with EDGED CIRCLE, now resulting in a teaser-length first EP and a grandiose hour-long debut album, set for March 2022.

Indeed, while the spectre of classic blackened death metal for which Sweden is known looms large over IN APHELION, it must be stressed that these gentlemen are THE grand architects of that incredibly influential and ever-enduring sound. And not ones to rest on their laurels, with IN APHELION do both Ramstedt and Bergebäck unfurl new vistas of the imagination whilst respectably remaining within that noble tradition. Simply put, this is timeless HEAVY METAL might painted in purple-blue hues but beaming with brilliant colors beyond.

Point proof is IN APHELION's first official EP, Luciferian Age. Here, two tracks - opener "Draugr" and the title track - are carried over from their forthcoming full-length, Moribund, and joined by the exclusive tracks "Wrath of a False God" and a cover of Kreator's "Pleasure to Kill." Totalling 23 minutes, Luciferian Age is a swift-yet-expansive sojourn into the IN APHELION soundworld. "Draugr" storms with a martial grandiosity, rallying the righteous before a darkly beautiful finale. The successive title track weaves a sinister march rife with devastating dynamics and an anthemic, arena-ready nature. The exclusive "Wrath of a False God" is a speedy yet shape-shifting gem of oldest obsidian, taking the listener on a climactic journey that's worth the price alone. And proudly displaying IN APHELION's roots is the closing cover of Kreator's classic "Pleasure to Kill," reverential and ripping. The icing on the cake is the grippingly powerful mix & mastering by Unleashed's Frederik Folkare.