French doomgaze duo Aetere sharpen their artistic vision with the release of their new single, "Cilice", offering another glimpse into their haunting and deeply introspective sonic realm. The track foreshadows the band's debut full‑length, Theogonie, due on 5 June via Octopus Rising / Argonauta Records on CD and digital formats.
Formed by Alice Ronzini and Johan Sebenne (Ailise Blake, Year Of No Light), Aetere operate at the crossroads of doom metal weight, post‑punk tension and shoegaze immersion. Their sound is built on slow‑burning structures, monolithic riffs and spectral atmospheres, forging a ritualistic and emotionally charged listening experience.
Conceived during their years in Bordeaux and completed across distance and time, Theogonie captures a period of profound transition. The album channels themes of mythology, existential burden and inner transformation, filtered through a sonic palette that balances oppressive heaviness with fragile, ethereal textures. Literary nods to John Milton, William Blake and classical myth further enrich the record's conceptual depth.
Visually and sonically, Theogonie presents a unified artistic statement: artwork by Mal De Siglos and layout by Lucia Macip echo the album's otherworldly aura, while mastering by Dirk Serries (Vidna Obmana, Fear Falls Burning, Yodok III) enhances its dynamic range, delivering a sound that is both raw and refined.
On "Cilice", the band delve deeper into their thematic core, embracing tension, vulnerability and existential struggle. Aetere explain: "'Cilice' speaks about punishment, ambition, shame and the complexity of human existence. Parts of its lyrics are from Book I of Milton's Paradise Lost. We are glad it is now released for everyone to hear".
Reflecting on the album as a whole, the duo add: "This album is very important to us. It was created when we both still lived in Bordeaux, the Bordeaux we used to know, before the pandemic and before we respectively changed cities. During all those years we never gave up on our project despite all the changes in our lives. It is our first album and we hope it will be the first of many more to come".
With Theogonie, Aetere emerges as a compelling new voice in the modern doom landscape, delivering a debut that is as immersive as it is emotionally resonant. Link
Theogonie tracklist:
01. Ténébrisme
02. Galea
03. Cilice
04. Thanatos
05. Innocence
06. Eudaimona
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"Art isn't meant to always be pretty and make us feel comfortable and good about ourselves. I'm not afraid to broach difficult emotions and to express the beautiful ones too." - Martin Saint
"We were outsiders, and nobody knew what the fuck was going on. We just listened to this extreme music that nobody else liked, and that made us very strong..." - Mikael Stanne
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