Review: Aquila – “Imperium”

Band: Aquila
Album: Imperium
Year: 2009
Label: Self-released

Track list:
1. Imperium
2. In Our Darkness
3. Within These Flames
4. Kill Or Be Killed
5. Never To Awake
6. Vae Victus
7. Suffer And Solitude
8. No Forgiveness
9. Breathing Fire, Breathing Life
10. Bound For Glory

Aquila is Canadian metalcore outfit that released two demos prior to “Imperium”.

“Imperium” brings us 8 songs of intense metalcore that in some places borders with melodic death metal and with certain progressive elements and 2 instrumentals of which I prefer “Vae Victus” for its early In Flames impression it produced in me (I prefer their first three albums to anything they released up until today anyway).

There is definite epic feeling that is woven through the album and is especially present in the songs that are lyrically connected to human suffering and struggle. I must pick out “No Forgiveness” that is my personal favorite also because of beautiful female vocals. What is a giant plus for this album in my eyes is effort these guys put into it. This is self-released album yet layout and production aren’t at all behind acts signed to big labels.

If you’re into metalcore this is probably an album for you.