Review Text
Reeking Aura is a NY / NJ-based death / doom metal band in the old school tradition comprised of known scene veterans from Long Island and NYC. Originally conceived as a project for guitarists Ryan Lipynsky (Unearthly Trance, The Howling Wind) and Rick Habeeb (Grey Skies Fallen, Buckshot Facelift) to share lead duties, additional guitarist Terrell Grannum (Thaetas, Buckshot Facelift), was brought into the fold along with fellow Buckshot Facelift alumni Tom Anderer (Grey Skies Fallen) on bass and William "Big Will" Smith (Afterbirth, Ex-Artificial Brain) on vocals in late 2019.Since releasing their debut three song EP Beneath The Canopy Of Compost on Parasitic Records in 2020, the band has parted ways amicably with drummer and friend Keith Harris (Afterbirth) and welcomed Sam Shereck (Blame God, Stabbed) behind the kit. Though unable to perform live during the pandemic, the group used 2020 and 2021 to write and record their debut full length album Blood And Bonemeal. They again chose to work with well-respected producer Colin Marston at his Menegroth The Thousand Caves studio in Queens, NY. Marston handled all stages of production from tracking to mixing and mastering with drums being recorded at Rock & Roll Gas Station studios on Long Island, NY.Blood And Bonemeal is a concept album centered around the caretaker of a desolate agricultural property and that person's struggles with morbid psychosis. Musically, the band sought to further explore the possibilities of a three-pronged lead guitar team, while the revamped rhythm section held down the bombastic wall of sound.
