(Or: How I Drifted Through a Space Nebula for Over an Hour)

Today’s Solo Saturday pick takes a sharp turn into the slow, drifting void of ambient shoegaze metal. ISON’s Aurora is a massive, dreamy, one-person atmospheric project that wants you to close your eyes, breathe deeply, and float. For about 70 minutes.

And if that sounds like your thing—this one’s for you.

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☁️ The Breakdown (Or lack thereof)

Let’s get this out of the way: Aurora is less of an album and more of an experience. Each track follows a formula that clearly works for ISON’s artistic vision:

1. Dreamy keyboard intro (2+ minutes minimum)
2. Slow, distorted-but-smooth guitars roll in
3. Drums, bass, and a ghostly vocal layer appear
4. The whole thing slowly fades out like a star dying

Repeat. For seven tracks. Over 70 minutes.

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🎧 Highlights… Sort Of:

• Jupiter: At over 4 minutes, it’s one of the longest intros I’ve ever sat through. But when it kicks in, it’s like waking up in slow motion. The distortion is warm, the vocals are celestial whispers, and the whole thing feels like it’s meant to be heard while floating in space. Not walking. Floating.
• Aurora (the title track): A textbook example of what this album is about—slow, glacial soundscapes that build just enough to not quite become songs.
• Celestial, Retrograde, Penumbra, Aquarian: Look, they’re all kinda the same. If you like one, you’ll probably like them all. If you don’t… well…

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😶 Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for hooks, lyrics you can belt out, or any sense of urgency—this album will absolutely not give you that. It’s the audio equivalent of watching fog roll in over a frozen lake. There’s beauty in it, but it moves at its own pace, and it’s in no rush to explain itself.

For me? Aurora just wasn’t my cup of tea. But I get the appeal—it’s meditative, immersive, and probably great if you’re stargazing or drifting off to sleep.

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🎧 Listen to Aurora on Spotify
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