The Eternal release their eighth album – review of “Obscured Horizons”

Following the highly acclaimed “Skinwalker” (2024), the Finnish-Australian dark progressive metal ensemble delights us this year with their eighth full-length album, “Obscured Horizons”. A glance at the tracklist reveals that, overall, the songs are shorter than those on the predecessor. I am curious to see if “Obscured Horizons” presents a catchier, more straightforward sound than previous works.

The opener, “Lament For The Hollow,” impressively sets the stage for what awaits the listener on the album: powerful rhythm work, gritty riffs, and, soaring above it all, Mark Kelson’s unmistakable voice. It is a mid-tempo track that instantly gets under your skin. The pace picks up with “Existing To Expire,” which features a wonderful sing-along chorus and outstanding guitar work. I love the melodic riff, reminiscent at times of 80s goth rock, interspersed with driving guitar rhythms that are incorporated with skill and precision. I’d even venture to say that “Existing To Expire” is one of the fastest songs I’ve heard from the band.

“Colours Fade” marks a return to business as usual; fans of the band will feel right at home here. The song begins gently and soulfully, then steadily builds tension that erupts midway through into thunderous riffing and the powerful drumming of Jan Rechberger (Amorphis). It is a wonderful journey through the stylistic facets of the band. They maintain this course without simply repeating themselves. “Harmony Breaks” and “I’ve Seen The Dream” envelop the listener in melancholic melodies; keyboards and guitars harmonize perfectly, both in creating atmosphere and in the interplay of their solos. More progressive elements are beautifully woven into the songs’ themes. Everything flows seamlessly and never feels forced.

“Liminality” follows this same basic formula too, though it comes across with a bit more drive, at least in parts. I particularly love the more progressive interludes woven in, especially during the second half of the track, as well as the bombastic finale. This leads directly into the title track, “Obscured Horizons.” The song opens with intricate rhythmic work that transitions into a gripping melody, before pulling back slightly to make room for the verses. Finally, it hits a captivating chorus, one that burrows its way into your ears and stays there. The title track is an impressive distillation of everything that defines The Eternal; it is easily the album’s strongest song.

“Yesterday’s Gone” kicks off with real punch, reminding me of early Dream Theater. The track then evolves into a dark prog anthem carried by Kelson’s extraordinary vocals. To wrap things up, “Awaken” delivers the bombastic finale this album deserves. “Awaken” revisits everything we’ve heard so far on “Obscured Horizons”, amplifying and expanding upon it before blasting it out of the speakers. Simply sit back, let it wash over you, and enjoy.

The Eternal haven’t reinvented themselves with “Obscured Horizons”, but they didn’t need to. The band stays true to its style while still managing to create a distinctive album that doesn’t sound like a rehash of previous work. That also answers the question I posed in the introduction: No, they haven’t sold out to the mainstream. The Eternal have remained The Eternal, and that’s a good thing!

Tracklist:

1. Lament For The Hollow
2. Existing To Expire
3. Colours Fade
4. Harmony Breaks
5. I’ve Seen The Dream
6. Liminality
7. Obscured Horizons
8. Yesterday’s Gone
9. Awaken