THE ETERNAL
"Sleep
of Reason" (Firebox; 2005)
Reviewed by Jeff Rogers
Gothic Doom Metal. This is what The Eternal sound
like. Want to hear more? I was going to play interactive charades with you and pull on my left ear and tell you the first word sounds like Dream and the second word Theater. You can hear that style of progressive music on this release. The doom part just means that
it's Dream Theater watered down and spookier sounding.
The guitar is slow and brooding, the vocals are eerie but mesmerizing. The drums are a constant flow.
The comparison to Dream Theater is not just pulled out of the blue. "Sleep
of Reason" has that feel to it. You can hear it in the guitar pinches and simmering chords.
The tracks on this CD seem to stew just below the surface; they never really
jump up to grab you but instead pull you under to their realm.
I have never been a doom metal fan but I may have to start searching for this style of music in the back alleys of experimentation.
The Eternal were born out of Cryptal Darkness, a doom metal band that hailed from Melbourne, Australia. The Eternal take you on a musical journey with a conceptual offering, much like
Dream Theater, who use story to follow a path. On "Sleep of Reason,"
The Eternal lead you on a type of maze that dares you to look around the corner to see what is
lurking just beyond.
I found myself using this disc as relaxation so that I could get the full
effect. The dark moods and dark melodies are very memorable and strangely
soothing.
The Eternal: Mark Kelson vocals, guitar; Lincoln Bowen guitar; James Hunt bass; Marty OShea drums; Chris Stevenson keyboards.
For more information, check out http://www.the-eternal.com.
Rating Guide:
A classic. This record will kick your ass.
Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.
So-so. You've heard better.
Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.
Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.
Copyright © 2007 by R. Scott Bolton. All rights
reserved.
Revised: 02 Dec 2024 11:50:51 -0500.
