Behold the debut EP by this striking new Symphonic Metal project, crafted around the belief that the human touch of live performance remains essential, especially in an era increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence.

Led by composer, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Alex Luke, Chicago, Illinois-based Symphonic Metal project Eternal Recurrence offers an alternative take on the genre with orchestral arrangements that draw from chamber music. This deviation away from grand scale orchestration commonly associated with Symphonic Metal instead produces a more intimate take on the genre. That’s exactly what you’ll get in their forthcoming self-titled debut EP, prioritizing a focus on the sound of real musicians performing real orchestral instruments, preserving nuance, texture, and human imperfection in an increasingly digital landscape. Drawing influence from bands such as Opeth, Kamelot and Dream Theater, among others, and featuring guests Maciek Szczyciński on double bass, Steven Schumann on cello, German Dmitriev on violin, and Mordian and James Dorton on vocals alongside Alex, the music by Eternal Recurrence was crafted  around the belief that the human touch of live performance remains essential, especially in an era increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence.

Mordian of Diamorte and Shield of Wings delivers a powerful alto performance during the chorus and bridge in the opening track Precious Stones, while James Dorton of Ne Obliviscaris contributes with his trademark harsh vocals, resulting in a metal aria that is as inspiring as it is vibrant, with the piano by Alex clashing beautifully with all guitars and drums. Then we face 8 by 8 and its poetic lyrics (“His forces lined up rank and file / My tactics, strategy: futile / My understanding’s like a child / I know not how to play”), written from the perspective of AlphaZero, a neural-network based chess-playing computer program that taught itself to play chess by playing against itself, while the music leans towards Progressive Rock and Metal; followed by Amor Fati, directly based on Friedrich Nietzsche’s concept of “Eternal Recurrence,” the inspiration for the EP’s concept, where the dark yet delicate sounds of the bass, cello and violin bring a touch of finesse to the overall result.

The also breathtaking Relativity explores the perspective of one of the figures that inhabits Escher’s impossible, looping structures, questioning their motives and understanding of their unending path, while musically speaking the violin by German adds even more depth to Alex’s already powerful vocal lines. Then we have the title-track Eternal Recurrence, which features a reference to the credit music from “Star Wars: Ashoka” in the second part of its extended introduction. Moreover, Mordian returns in full force, bringing an ethereal quality as well as contributing to powerful harmonized duets, and an emotive lament in the song’s bridge, while Alex is on fire with his guitar and piano, resulting in a multi-layered, melancholic and touching composition that puts a stunning ending to the album.

Serving as both an introduction and a mission statement, presenting Symphonic Metal that values realism, restraint, and emotional detail without sacrificing heaviness or intensity, the EP looks to chamber music for inspiration rather than emulating 19th and 20th century symphonic traditions. This philosophy defines the sound of Eternal Recurrence, and if you’re curious to know more about such a unique endeavor in the world of heavy music you can find the project on Facebook and on Instagram, subscribe to their YouTube channel or stream their music on any platform like Spotify, and of course grab a copy of their excellent debut EP from BandCamp or by clicking HERE. Artificial intelligence might be useful for some specific things in life, but definitely not for heavy music, and Eternal Recurrence is among us armed with its debut EP to prove once and for all there’s nothing better than human emotions to make music excellent, and to give life to it.

Best moments of the album: Precious Stones and Eternal Recurrence.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2026 Independent

Track listing
1. Precious Stones 5:00
2. 8 by 8 6:50
3. Amor Fati 7:31
4. Relativity 4:40
5. Eternal Recurrence 8:16

Band members
Alex Luke – vocals, guitars, bass, piano

Guest musicians
Maciek Szczyciński – double bass (session)
Steven Schumann – cello (session)
German Dmitriev – violin (session)
Mordian – vocals on “Precious Atones” and “Eternal Recurrence”
James Dorton – vocals on “Precious Atones”