'The Sombre Light of Isolation', The Eternal's debut album, offers 10 pieces of gothic doom. Well, the summer is approaching fast, and it is bloody hard to get into a miserable mood right now. Therefore I've been spinning at night while laying in my bed. One thing is sure; this didn't make me sleep.

The Eternal must be highly influenced by English legends My Dying Bride and Paradise Lost. And not only by a decade old antics, but also by newer music from the legends. I got a problem with the modern gothic touches, because they are too upbeat (not about speed, but feel) and too rock, but admittely catchy. They simply are not very bleak or doomy. 'Down' is pretty similar to rock-era Paradise Lost. That's exactly how the first proper song, 'A Cruel Misfortune', is: at first it's gothic in a good vein (metal, epic, bleak, haunting, dark, the real thing you know?!), then after 2½ minutes it's all modern gothic rock. 'The Eternal' presents the real thing and works hell of a lot better. As do all the songs presenting the real thing (the title track, 'Black Serenity', 'Remembrance Scars' and 'All Hope Lost')! The songs feel familiar, sometimes it is easy to point the influences, sometimes not. Most of the songs are well composed, especially the "real things", even though clock to over 7½ minutes (following the tradition). This requires full attention from a listener. Sad guitar harmonies, slowish riffing, synth mat/piano and acoustic parts are nothing new in this style of music. The band's roots lie in the ruins of Cryptal Darkness, so the guys aren't exactly new faces.

The production should be heavy, but it isn't. The drums sound way too light, especially the flat snare drum. The powerless drums are easily noted on more epic parts. Actually, this sounds old yet not in a good way. Every instrument is well audible and this sounds clean, but also a bit too sterile. At least it is easy to hear what is going on.

Performance is basically good. While the drums sound powerless, they aren't well played either. This eats even more possible power out of them. The vocals must be mentioned, because I immediately thought about Paradise Lost's Nick Holmes (about 'Draconian Times' (1995) era) when I heard Mark Kelson's voice (he plays second guitar too).Mr Kelson's voice is only lighter. He uses some other voices too, typical to the genre. 'Remembrance Scars' features guesting vocals from Darren White (ex-Anathema, ex-The Blood Divine, Dead Men Dream). I only got a promotional copy of the album, so I can't comment on lyrics. The cover art is great, if somewhat Travis Smith-esque, heh (that bloody black bird flying there...).

'The Sombre Light...' is a good debut, but those modern gothic touches do not suit for me. However, this is still more old school stuff and I appreciate that fact. But in originality stakes this is not on very steady ground.

Rating: 6½ (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Lane
05/05/2004 18:25