When I first got my hands on Auternus’ new album, Changing Seasons, I looked over the artwork and I knew instantly that Auternus would be another band looking to impress upon everyone that they are another embodiment of extreme; I expected… well, lyrics, for one thing. I expected heavy, driven, intricate guitar work, crushing drums, and to be screamed, or growled at. I was actually looking forward to it, despite myself; I was ready to rock out with… ahem. Pardon me.

I was disappointed.

In our society, we are told to cut the fat. Don’t have two, when you’ll be fine with one. If you have more than you need, give it away, don’t waste it. These teach us one thing: if it’s not needed, leave it out. Auternus embodies this teaching. They don’t need lyrics, don’t need to beat their audiences over the head with a musical riot, they don’t even need your undivided attention. Instead, their music fades into the background, and out of focus, it lets you concentrate on whatever it is you need to do, such as clean the kitchen, or write an album review. When normally I would write this in silence, I am currently enveloped in their impressive ten-minute song “Chase the Sparrow.” When I tried to turn it off to work, it felt like they reached out to me, saying ‘it’s okay, do your thing, we’ll just hang around.’ Changing Seasons doesn’t seem to mind if you walk away for a moment; it just wants you to know it’ll be there for you when you get back.

To give your undivided attention to Auternus’ album seems almost to defeat the purpose for the majority of its duration. “Slow Motion,” does a terrific job of being instantly memorable, driving just enough to set the pace for the rest of the album and still make you really- to be honest- want to do something to occupy your mind. It is most certainly one of the heavier songs on the album, the guitar work shows off a grind-whine that doesn’t at all sound as bad as those words would portray; it fits quite nicely with the haunting, and later, the determined-sounding vocals that I still do not understand after many times listening to it.

The second track, and the first of the seasons, is short, really short. It clocks just under a minute and a half, and is honestly not so much a song, as a multi-layered sound that does nothing more than vibrate, and in the end, fizzle away into nothing. If you need something to meditate to, put the next few tracks on repeat. To its credit, it is a great transition into the next track, “Summer,” of which, there isn’t much to say except that if you are sitting cross-legged, doing some deep breathing, and introverted thinking, put it on, it’s great for that.

You will probably notice that the tracks are not exactly laid out as they are in the album, that’s okay. Just go with it, there is method here, cats and kittens.

Next up is “Somber Victory”.  At first, it doesn’t feel as though this song is going anywhere, much like I’m sure this review feels to you. For half of the song, it doesn’t go anywhere, it’s comfortable there, and keeps on exactly how it wants to until very nearly halfway through, very melodic, very repetitive, but not so much that you notice it. As I told you, halfway through the song, Auternus turns up the intensity bit by bit. At first, it’s simply a change in pace, it’s very easy, but strikes you masterfully, just as it should. From there, “Somber Victory” slowly cranks the dial to the right, encouraging you to scrub that last-night’s-dinner pan just that much harder, and you can’t help but obey. This track masterfully cranks up the intensity of the album, and still maintains the ambience of the work.

The beginning of spring hurts your ears in much the same way the biting cold does outside, in the beginning of real spring, although I deal with early springtime much more eagerly than I do with this song. If I have one real complaint about this album, it is this track. It will leave a ringing in your ears if listened to with any volume whatsoever. You’ve been warned.

I’ll finish the seasons, and finish the review with the ten-minute epic, if you all don’t mind? Good.

“Winter,” the best season of them all is simply one more song to meditate to, it starts out with what sounds like panpipes, and maintains a charming minimalist approach throughout.

Chase the Sparrow. Stop reading this, and just listen to it. I won’t even write anything about it to allow you time to do so. Just close your eyes and let your imagination go nuts on this one. You’ll thank me in just over ten minutes…….

See?

To tie up the Changing Seasons experience into a nice and tidy little package, it’s like an Enya album that speaks to my inner angry white guy.

I will close with a word to Auternus. Thank you for “disappointing” me, it’s been a pleasure.