Aether Realm’s album “Tarot” is a mix of metal and tarot card themes. It came out in 2017 and has made the North Carolina band famous. This album is different from their first, “One Chosen by the Gods,” with more variety and complex songs.
The album has 12 songs, lasting over 70 minutes. It explores the world of tarot cards. Each song is inspired by a tarot card, making it a journey through mysticism. Tracks like “King of Cups” with Christopher Bowes and “The Sun, The Moon, The Star” are highlights. For more, check out this interview with Jake.
The band has won fans and good reviews from metal blogs like No Clean Singing and Angry Metal Guy. The song “Tarot” shows off their skill with symphonic and thrash elements. It proves they can match the best in melodeath.
Key Takeaways
- Aether Realm’s album “Tarot” blends metal with mystical themes of tarot cards.
- “Tarot,” containing 12 tracks, exceeds 70 minutes in runtime.
- Featured contributions from artists like Christopher Bowes of Alestorm.
- The album has received positive reviews from notable metal blogs.
- Each track is named after a tarot card, creating a conceptually rich album.
The Inspiration Behind Tarot by Aether Realm
The album “Tarot” by Aether Realm started with a deep interest in tarot cards. Vincent Jones and Donny Burbage were drawn to the major arcana’s stories and images. These themes sparked many discussions among friends.
The Influence of Tarot Cards
From these talks, the idea of an album about tarot cards grew. The band’s interest turned into a full project. Each card’s meaning inspired songs, creating a deep musical and lyrical journey.
Tracks like “King of Cups” and “The Sun, The Moon, The Star” show these influences. Aether Realm aimed to blend art and music into a unified story. They succeeded beautifully.
The Journey to Creating the Album
But making “Tarot” wasn’t easy. The band faced budget issues and logistical problems. A car accident involving Heinrich Gibson caused delays.
There were also technical issues, like lost recording files. These problems affected tracks like “The Magician.” Yet, the band’s hard work and support from 36 people helped finish the album.
Experts like Kile Odell and Ben Turk worked on the production. Their work is praised for its quality. Tyler Gresh’s vocals are also highlighted for their clarity and engagement.
Dan Müller of Wilderun added to the album’s grandeur with his compositions. The band thanked many for their support, including family, friends, and bands like Alestorm.
Despite the challenges, “Tarot” is a powerful album. It has deeply connected with fans and critics, even surpassing some of Wintersun’s work.
The making of “Tarot” shows the band’s strength and passion. For those interested in tarot, the album offers a unique look through melodic death metal.
| Contributor | Role |
|---|---|
| Kile Odell | Production Engineer, Mixing Engineer |
| Ben Turk | Orchestration |
| Jamie King | Mastering |
| Zach Williams | Vocal Tech, Production Assistant |
| Dan Müller | Orchestral Compositions |
Symbolism in the Album Art
The album art of “Tarot” by Æther Realm is a visual feast. It mirrors the depth and complexity of the music. The album features a collaboration with notable artists like KolaHari and Adrian Baxter.
Collaboration with Artists
Æther Realm worked with KolaHari and Adrian Baxter on the album art. KolaHari’s design features a skeleton in a tarot casting. This perfectly captures the essence of tarot card readings and the album’s themes.
Adrian Baxter’s contributions add dynamic elements to the artwork. These elements resonate with fans, enriching the visual experience.
The album art includes phases of the moon and cloud motifs. These elements align with the songs’ ethereal nature. For example, “The Sun, the Moon, the Star” fits perfectly.
Each element is carefully chosen. They reflect the mystical and transformative journey of tarot card readings. This offers fans a powerful visual experience, just like the music.
Details of the Artwork
The artwork combines black and white with textured images. This style complements the album’s rich sound. It captures the essence of tarot reading services and online tarot consultations.
The table below shows the artists involved and their contributions to the album art of “Tarot” by Æther Realm:
| Artist | Contribution | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| KolaHari | CD Cover Design | Symbolizes tarot casting and encapsulates the album’s essence |
| Adrian Baxter | Additional Artwork | Adds dynamic, intricate elements enhancing the mystical theme |
The album art intertwines tarot readings with personal transformation. It’s not just a cover but an extension of Æther Realm’s musical narrative. The band’s collaboration with artists ensures every detail aligns with tarot lore.
This synergy is similar to other albums designed with care. Check out this example for more insight.
The Themes of Specific Tracks
Æther Realm’s album “Tarot” takes you on a deep journey through Tarot card themes. Each song tells the story of its card, mixing folk and symphonic death metal. Released in 2017, it shows the band’s growth after a four-year wait since their first album.
The Fool
“The Fool” starts the album, capturing the adventurous spirit and brave innocence of the card. It invites you to explore a world of light and darkness, like an online tarot consultation does.
The Devil
“The Devil” dives into heavy sounds, tackling themes of temptation and greed. This eight-minute song blends symphonic death metal, showing the band’s range. It’s like a tarot reading, where each card reveals deep insights.
The Sun, The Moon, The Star
The album ends with “The Sun, The Moon, The Star,” a 20-minute epic. It combines powerful music and deep thoughts, ending the album on a high note. This song’s length and complexity reflect the album’s themes, inspired by Wintersun. It wraps up the album’s journey, showing Aether Realm’s skill in tarot-inspired music.
| Track | Theme | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| The Fool | Adventurous Beginnings | 5:19 |
| The Devil | Temptation and Materialism | 8:05 |
| The Sun, The Moon, The Star | Climactic Resolution | 19:00 |
The Reception and Impact
“Tarot” by Aether Realm got a lot of praise when it came out. People in the metal scene loved its big ideas and deep themes. Fans of professional tarot readings especially connected with it, seeing it as a unique blend of art and divination.
The album has been a hit, with over 2 million streams on music platforms. The “Tarot” music video has over 500,000 views on YouTube. These numbers show how much people enjoy the song and its visuals. The album has sold over 10,000 copies worldwide, showing Aether Realm’s growing fan base.
The band’s work on “Tarot” set a new standard for storytelling in metal music. The song has been remade by over 100 artists, proving its wide appeal. Aether Realm’s use of tarot themes has made them stand out as innovative storytellers. Their work has not only boosted their reputation but also reached more people, making Aether Realm tarot guidance a celebrated art form.
FAQ
What is the meaning behind the song “Tarot” by Aether Realm?
“Tarot” by Aether Realm is a special album that uses tarot cards as inspiration. Each song is linked to a tarot card, exploring deep themes through metal music. It’s a mix of tarot’s mysticism and Aether Realm’s folk metal, creating a unique listening experience.
What inspired Aether Realm to create the album “Tarot”?
The band was drawn to tarot card readings and the major arcana’s stories. These interests grew from casual talks, leading to the idea of an album that brings tarot to life through music.
How were the artistic elements of the album “Tarot” developed?
The album’s art was a team effort with artists like KolaHari and Adrian Baxter. Their work captures the album’s mystical feel, using moon phases and clouds. The art’s black and white, textured look was inspired by tarot’s themes.
Can you explain the symbolism in the album’s artwork?
The artwork, with its moon phases and clouds, reflects the album’s mystical vibe. Each element is meant to enhance the music’s deep, conceptual nature, making the listening experience richer.
What do the tracks “The Fool,” “The Devil,” and “The Sun, The Moon, The Star” represent in the album “Tarot”?
“The Fool” talks about starting new adventures with courage. “The Devil” explores the dangers of temptation and materialism. “The Sun, The Moon, The Star” wraps up the album, combining all themes in a nearly 20-minute epic.
How was the reception of “Tarot” by Aether Realm?
When “Tarot” came out, it was a hit in the metal world. People loved its deep story and complex music. It showed Aether Realm’s boldness and creativity in the metal scene.
