Review: Reeking Aura – On the Promise of the Moon

Review by Sandre the Giant Released: 17th April 2026 New York/New Jersey’s Reeking Aura may be a new-ish band but their number is made up by a slew of scene veterans from across the NYDM spectrum. Members of Trog, Afterbirth, Artificial Brain and more have come together to finally give us the follow up to the superb ‘Blood and Bonemeal’ from 2022, a record that really put Reeking Aura on the map for modern death metal. Well, the follow up ‘On the Promise of the Moon’ promises much for fans of atmospheric death metal that is loaded with variety and brutality. It is out now through the legendary Profound Lore Records. Instantly devastating, opener ‘Concrete Basin Bath’ bringing to mind guttural death metal like Dying Fetus or Suffocation, as well as touches of atmospheric stuff as well. There’s a subtle technicality to the guitar work, never overbearing but still jagged and serpentine. The atmospheric moments are still the standout theme of Reeking Aura’s work, like the mid section of…