Symphonic unblack metal band Parakletos formed in 2004 and hit the ground running, with their debut “Offerlammets Makt” being released the same year on Rivel Records. Despite the album being well received, the Finland based band soon after went on a long hiatus, not emerging again until 2018 when they self-released their “Se Guds Lamm” EP. In the making for a very long time, and therefore aptly titled, is their 2025 follow-up “Opera Ab Aeterno” (translates as “Opera From The Beginning”).

The best way to describe “Opera Ab Aeterno” is to throw superlatives at it – it’s sublime, masterful, transcendent – the most intense, dynamic, soaring unblack album you have heard in a long time. On this ambitious 73-minute album, Parakletos have succeeded admirably in merging the symphonic – precise, grand, dramatic, theatrical – with the bleak, biting force that is black metal. And it is operatic in the true sense – with characters vocalised by different singers (including a soprano!), magnificent orchestral elements and an epic storyline. Parakletos have balanced raw aggression with melodic beauty – each song crafted to comprise both haunting fury and captivating grandeur – the contrast between darkness and hope. “Opera Ab Aeterno” contains the power and atmosphere that should have fans of the genre euphoric that they finally have another definitive volume to add to unblack metal history.

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TRACK LISTING:
Opera Ab Aeterno (Opera From The Beginning)
Satans Fall (The Fall Of Lucifer)
Skapelsen (The Creation)
Människans Fall I (The Fall Of Man I)
Sång Av Ensamhet (Song Of Loneliness)
Människans Fall II (The Fall Of Man II)
Brödradråpet (A Brother’s Demise)
Syndafloden (The Deluge)
Högfärdens Dom (Tower Of Conceit)
Den Utvalde (The Chosen One)
Löftets Son (The Anointed)
Opera Ad Infinitum (Opera To Eternity)