In this day and age it is crucial for a young band to get as much exposure as humanly possible. That’s why before I ever sit down and put pen to paper I like to cruise around the internet, so as to become a bit more familiar with the band I am reviewing. My belief is that back when the compact disc was the most prevalent form of commercial audio, the artwork presented with the disc was what gave the album and the band their image. Now in modern times, we have a delivery system that no longer warrants art being presented with the music. Some would say that pictures have fallen by the wayside, however I respectfully disagree. I feel that art has shifted away from the album and moved toward a band’s social media presence…Myspace, Facebook, Twitter and even an official website is really where a band captures new listeners. So you can imagine my shock when I sat down to review Son of Aurelius’ debut album The Farthest Reaches, and I couldn’t find the band online! Besides Myspace and a few others it’s like the internet has never heard of this band. So I ventured further down the rabbit hole and figured out why; this band has only been writing and recording since 2009!

Son of Aurelius certainly give the term “young band” a whole new meaning but one listen to their debut album will have you worshiping the ground they walk on. Following in the footsteps of bands such as The Faceless, Obscura and The Binary Code, these Santa Cruz metalheads spew progressive tech-death from every orifice of their bodies. From the very first second you press play this album wastes no time getting things started, a quick two second drum solo starts off what is about to become thirty-six minutes of pure genius. The guitar work is intricate, the drums are killer and the vocalist shifts from effortlessly from high pitched shrieks to low nightmarish growls. Vocalist Josh Miller has an excellent set of pipes that are very reminiscent of Trevor’s from The Black Dahlia Murder. Songs like “Let Them Hate and Fear” and “Pandora’s Burden” are prime cuts of proggy-tech meat. The solos are spectacular mixing devastatingly impressive technicality with heart rendering harmonies. One listen to the last minute of “Facing the Gogon” will be all the proof you ever need to never take this album out of your CD player again!

This band may be young but they sound like they have been together for years. The Farthest Reaches is a debut album that Son of Aurelius should be damn proud of! The song structure is great and every song offers something new, which in turn makes the whole album a complete joy to listen to. If you were to place bets on what bands will be taking over the metal world in five years, then bet big on Son of Aurelius. I can’t wait to hear more stuff from this band and I am even more excited at the thought of an Obscura, Faceless, Cynic, Binary Code, and Son of Aurelius tour! (Fingers Crossed) RIYL: The Faceless, The Black Dahlia Murder, Obscura

4.5/5