The Eternal / The Sombre Light Of Isolation

In the ashes of Melbourne, Australia, based doom metal veterans Cryptal Darkness a new band was born in 2003. The Eternal will quickly establish themselves on the international scene with this debut album for the Finnish label Firebox Records which will be out in late May this year (2004). While at times galloping in utter sadness with ultra-slow passages most of the material on this album is very melodic. Something that makes The Eternal stand out from most other bands in their genre is the vocalist Mark Kelson whose soft, warm and harmonic voice will surely grip many a young girl's heart. His performance and the general structure and speed of the songs often create a gothic atmosphere a little bit similar to Poisonblack although Mark's voice is mostly lighter. Nonetheless "The Sombre Light Of Isolation" lives up to the expectations that come with the title and all the way from the bleak yet majestic intro to the final stroke of the guitar strings this album does not lack despair nor pain and misery. One of the tracks - "Rememberance Scars" - features none other than the former Anathema member Darren White on vocals. The Eternal is one of the most unique doom metal bands today and their vivid experimentation might be too much for the more conservative doomsters. However, if you like your doom melodic, epic, bleak and don't mind a few surprises then give them a chance.

Vincent Eldefors (Tartarean Desire)