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Album Review – Eternal Storm / A Giant Bound to Fall (2024)

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A boundless, always-evolving Spanish Progressive and Melodic Death Metal outfit returns with their hugely ambitious yet still passionate and heartfelt sophomore album, a giant step ahead for the band and for the entire style.

Following up on the release of their 2019 debut album Come the Tide, which was a shockingly accomplished, poignant and evocative album which many still regard to be one of the highlights in the style, Spanish Progressive/Melodic Death Metal outfit Eternal Storm returns to the battlefield four years later with their sophomore opus, titled A Giant Bound to Fall, a worthy effort that doesn’t betray their sound nor dilute it. Produced by the band itself, recorded at The Empty Hall Studio (vocals, guitars, bass) and at Sadman Studio (drums), re-amped, mixed and mastered by Dan Swanö at Unisound, and displaying a sinister artwork by Leoncio Harmr (with logo by Christophe Szpajdel of Lord of the Logos), the album is far more nuanced, multifaceted and even feels darker than their debut installment, all masterfully brought into being by Daniel R. Flys on lead vocals, guitars, keyboards and bass, Jaime Torres on the guitars, vocals, keyboards, bass and fretless bass, and Daniel Maganto on bass, additional guitars and additional vocals, plus guest musicians Gabriel Valcázar (Wormed, Ernia) on drums and percussion, and Jaboto Fernández (Nexus 6, TodoMal) on additional keyboards and synths, being recommended for fans of Be’lakor, Dyssebeia, Insomnium, and Dark Tranquillity.

Guest Roberto Bustabad (Varunian, Ovakner, Rvinas) brings some noise and additional synths to the opening tune An Abyss of Unreason, starting in an ethereal manner as the drums by Gabriel arise from the underworld, exploding into a dissonant and experimental hybrid of Black and Death Metal where Daniel R. Flys roars manically nonstop, offering us all endless progressiveness and multiple layers of unique sounds and tones in a true aria of darkness. Then featuring guest vocalist Sven de Caluwé (Aborted), A Dim Illusion is another melodious yet visceral and somber creation by the band, a more progressive version of the music by Insomnium highly recommended for some vigorous headbanging to the piercing riffage by Daniel R. Flys and Jaime; and after such intense and bold tune it’s time for a soothing, serene sonority in There was a Wall, bringing forward elements from modern-day Doom Metal, in special in the sluggish beats by Gabriel, while Daniel R. Flys, Jaime and Daniel Maganto extract sheer groove and feeling form their stringed axes. Their mesmerizing feast goes on in Last Refuge, featuring guests Kheryon on additional vocals and Paul R. Flys on violin, a ten-minute journey through the realms of Progressive and Melodic Death Metal showcasing another amazing job done by all band members, with Daniel R. Flys once again leading his horde with his anguished screams.

It’s then time for a gentle, enfolding interlude titled Eclipse, generating a delicate atmosphere to the sound of minimalist guitar lines (albeit going on for a bit too long, but nothing that takes away its vibe), setting the tone for Lone Tree Domain, with guest Eloi Boucherie (Vidres a la Sang, White Stones) on additional vocals, an even more intricate, detailed and visceral creation by Eternal Storm, with their guitar riffs getting boosted by the rumbling bass by Daniel Maganto, sounding beautiful and impactful at the same time. The trio keeps embellishing the airwaves with their complex yet captivating sounds in The Sleepers, featuring Dan Swanö on additional vocals, a Progressive Death Metal aria alternating between deep, enraged moments and atmospheric passages, exploding into the infernal The Void, a lecture in Death Metal infused with progressive, technical and blackened elements tailored for admirers of the genre, with the superb drumming by Gabriel enhancing the song’s punch while Daniel R. Flys roars like a beast, always accompanied by the thunderous bass by Daniel Maganto. Lastly, we’re treated to the title-track A Giant Bound to Fall, featuring Sergi “Bobby” Verdeguer (Persefone) on additional vocals, beginning in a futuristic, whimsical vibe while also offering more of the band’s harsh and demolishing sounds, bringing peace and hope to our damned hearts and, therefore, putting a stunning finale to the album.

A Giant Bound to Fall is a giant step ahead in the logical direction, for the band and for the entire style. There is little doubt that this hugely ambitious and more importantly still passionate and heartfelt album will go down as another towering landmark in the genre, and if you want to show Eternal Storm all your support you can start following the band on Facebook and on Instagram, stream their music on Spotify, on YouTube and on any other streaming platform, and above all that, purchase a copy of the album from their own BandCamp page, as well as from the Transcending Obscurity Records’ webstore as a CD (in the US and Europe) or as a very special CD + shirt combo (also in the US and Europe). The storm of Progressive and Melodic Death Metal available in the new album by such talented band from Spain definitely deserves a detailed listen by all of us, and I can’t wait to see what’s next in their boundless and always evolving career.

Best moments of the album: An Abyss of Unreason, Last Refuge and The Void.

Worst moments of the album: Eclipse.

Released in 2024 Transcending Obscurity Records

Track listing
1. An Abyss of Unreason 13:35
2. A Dim Illusion 7:18
3. There was a Wall 5:07
4. Last Refuge 10:00
5. Eclipse 4:06
6. Lone Tree Domain 9:27
7. The Sleepers 6:27
8. The Void 6:27
9. A Giant Bound to Fall 6:46

Band members
Daniel R. Flys – lead vocals, guitars, keyboards, bass
Jaime Torres – guitars, vocals, keyboards, bass, fretless bass
Daniel Maganto – bass, additional guitars, additional vocals

Guest musicians
Gabriel Valcázar – drums, percussion (session)
Jaboto Fernández – additional keyboards and synts
Roberto Bustabad – noise and additional synths on “An Abyss of Unreason”
Sven de Caluwé – additional vocals on “A Dim Illusion”
Kheryon – additional vocals on “Last Refuge”
Paul R. Flys – violin on “Last Refuge”
Eloi Boucherie – additional vocals on “Lone Tree Domain”
Dan Swanö – additional vocals on “The Sleepers”
Sergi “Bobby” Verdeguer – additional vocals on “A Giant Bound to Fall”

Album Review – Hyl / Where Emptiness Is All (2023)

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A majestic display of Atmospheric Black Metal, bringing the cruel peace of absolute devastation, and invoking the killing quietude of an abandoned world wrapped in the soft death of snow.

Birthed in the creative cauldron that is the mind of multi-instrumentalist Rick Costantino (Schizo, Krigere Wolf), Italy/Poland-based Atmospheric Black Metal horde Hyl is a new entity that captures an atmosphere of utter desolation, of a world bereft of life, being highly recommended for fans of Ruins Of Beverast, Vemod, Mgla and Fuath, just to name a few. Comprised of the aforementioned Rick Costantino (who also goes by his initials R.C.) on the guitars and bass, Shadow (Black Altar, Ofermod) on vocals, and Krzysztof Klingbein (Vader, Belphegor) on drums, the band is releasing their debut effort, titled Where Emptiness Is All, bringing the cruel peace of absolute devastation, and invoking the killing quietude of an abandoned world wrapped in the soft death of snow. Mixed and mastered by Dionisis Dimitrakos at Descent Studio (with vocals mixed by Devo Andersson at Endarker Studio), and displaying a sinister logo by Christophe Szpajdel of Lord of the Logos and a Stygian album art by Elysivm Artwork, the album transpires Black Metal at its most powerful and enthralling, imbued with winter magic and offering a glimpse into a darkness beyond human experience and understanding.

The atmospheric intro Pvrification will beautifully darken the skies, setting the stage for Hyl to crush our senses in Into the Unknown, with the piercing guitars by R.C. embellishing the airwaves while Krzysztof begins hammering his drums in the name of Black Metal, all complemented by the grim, visceral guttural by Shadow. Their blackened attack goes on in the multi-layered, imposing extravaganza titled And Everything Dies, a lecture in Atmospheric Black Metal sounding even more venomous than its predecessor due to the pulverizing drums by Krzysztof; and the atmosphere remains dense, somber and majestic in the title-track Where Emptiness is All, where once again Shadow roars like a demonic entity accompanied by the sharp riffs and rumbling bass by R.C. in another infernal display of Atmospheric Black Metal. Then a dark, menacing intro gradually evolves into an ethereal voyage titled Endless Illusions, with R.C. and Krzysztof blasting melodic yet at the same time sulfurous sounds from their sonic weapons, flowing into the closing tune Under a Watching Sky, which sounds and feels more like an outro than anything else. I personally preferred if it was a regular song, or if it was a little bit shorter in duration, but it’s still a solid way to conclude the album.

Those three extremely talented metallers from Italy and Poland are eager to know what you think of their music, and you can do so by giving them a shout on Facebook and on Instagram, and of course you can show them your absolute support and admiration by purchasing a copy of Where Emptiness Is All from the Odium Records’ BandCamp page or webstore, succumbing to the darkest and most atmospheric side of extreme music. You’ll certainly have a blast wandering through the Stygian realms explored by Rick Constantino and his henchmen in Where Emptiness Is All, always keeping in mind that there’s no turning back once you let darkness and desolation take over your damned soul.

Best moments of the album: And Everything Dies and Where Emptiness is All.

Worst moments of the album: Under a Watching Sky.

Released in 2023 Odium Records

Track listing
1. Pvrification (Intro) 1:03
2. Into the Unknown 7:41
3. And Everything Dies 6:58
4. Where Emptiness is All 5:12
5. Endless Illusions 7:36
6. Under a Watching Sky 5:03

Band members
Shadow – vocals
Rick Costantino – guitars, bass
Krzysztof Klingbein – drums

Album Review – Minneriket / Gjennom Meg Går Ingen Til Hvile (2022)

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A lecture in Romantic Black Metal by one of the driving forces of the current Norwegian scene, dedicated in loving memory to those we have lost.

Four years after the excellent Anima Sola, Norwegian Romantic Black Metal band Minneriket, the brainchild of vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Stein Akslen, returns with another blast of awesomeness in the form of Gjennom Meg Går Ingen Til Hvile, or ““through me no one goes to rest” from Norwegian. Produced and mixed by Stein himself at Hagall Studios, recorded on various location throughout the world (with all field-recordings done by Stein on location in Norway out in nature to supplement the compositions on the album), mastered by Niklas Kveldulfsson, and displaying a classic logo by Christophe Szpajdel of Lord of the Logos and front cover photography by Eivind Nilsen of Clean Shot Photography beautifully portraying model Lise Marie Sommerstad, the album features a pretty big roster of session musicians, some being amateurs, some being more known people. “In total I have been working on this album for about 6 years now. There’s a lot of memories tied up on it, and it will be dedicated in loving memory to those we have lost. Some of the lyrics on the album actually dates back about 17 years, so I’ve used this album to really go full circle,” commented Stein, who also had some interesting words to say about the field-recordings. “That had me sleeping outside in the forests for a few nights to record an owl, and all other sounds – including wolves – are real. There are no samples at all on the album.”

Birds chirping and the gentle sound of the piano ignite the opening tune Så Kald En Jord (“so call a land”), evolving into a fusion of atmospheric music and primeval Black Metal to the hellish gnarls by Stein in paradox with the song’s smooth female vocals, offering us all over eight minutes of cryptic passages, sharp guitars and rhythmic beats. Then the instrumental piece Hjemlengsel (“homesickness”) will bring peace and sorrow to our blackened hearts thanks to the stunning cello by guest Norlene Olmedo, followed by Begravelsens Hjerteslag (“the heartbeat of the funeral”), another bold and multi-layered creation by Stein where the finesse of its operatic vocals walks hand in hand with the heavy-as-hell sounds crafted by our Norwegian multi-instrumentalist in a thrilling fusion of Melodic and Atmospheric Black Metal. Regnbuer I Gråtoner (“rainbows in shades of gray”) is another beautiful metal voyage by Stein and his guests, and it’s impressive how he manages to make each and every song so unique with his bass and drums generating a rumbling ambience perfect for his devilish growls; whereas in Sorg Og Savn (“grief and loss”) we face doomed words darkly declaimed by Stein and guest Ingrid.mariea (“Dear friends, dear family / I will leave you behind / I am the lifeless rain of autumn / Without you I will shine / My wounds are yours to reap and harvest”) while the music pierces our minds mercilessly.

The serene and atmospheric interlude Solnedgang (“sunset”) will soothe our damned souls before Stein comes ripping once again in Hvil I Fred (“rest in peace”), starting in a delicate manner to the sound of the waves crashing on the rocks before exploding into more of his trademark Black Metal. Moreover, once again the heaviness of the guitars and drums beautifully clashes with enfolding keys and piano notes, not to mention how stunning the female vocalizations sound and feel. After that, delicate piano notes permeate the air in Forglemmegei (“forget-me-not”), a well-engendered (albeit a bit too long) intermission that sets the tone for Nåde (“grace”), bringing forward over 13 minutes of what feels like the soundtrack to a dark and sinister movie, with Stein blending three or four songs into one massive beast while alternating between obscure passages and sheer dementia in the form of Black Metal, ending in an epic and enfolding manner before the outro 11379 brings to our ears a stylish exhibit of folk and classic elements, with the sounds of the piano and flute adding an extra touch of delicacy to the album.

A must-listen for fans of Myrkur, Jinjer, Cradle of Filth, Dimmu Borgir, Arch Enemy and Evanescence, among several others, Gjennom Meg Går Ingen Til Hvile undoubtedly represents a huge step forward in the career of the multi-talented Stein, and if you want to put your hands on such distinguished album of extreme music you can purchase it from Minneriket’s own BandCamp page. In addition, don’t forget to also follow Stein and his Black Metal alter-ego on Facebook and on Instagram, to subscribe to his YouTube channel, and to stream more of his stylish compositions on Spotify. As mentioned by Stein, Gjennom Meg Går Ingen Til Hvile is much more than just another metal album, but a music representation of his own memories intertwined with the sounds of nature, deserving our full admiration and respect and, therefore, positioning Minneriket as one of the driving forces of the current underground Black Metal scene.

Best moments of the album: Regnbuer I Gråtoner, Hvil I Fred and Nåde.

Worst moments of the album: Forglemmegei.

Released in 2022 Independent

Track listing
1. Så Kald En Jord 8:42
2. Hjemlengsel 2:04
3. Begravelsens Hjerteslag 7:31
4. Regnbuer I Gråtoner 6:44
5. Sorg Og Savn 5:32
6. Solnedgang 1:42
7. Hvil I Fred 5:31
8. Forglemmegei 3:44
9. Nåde 13:17
10. 11379 3:17

Band members
Stein Akslen – lead vocals, guitars, field-recordings, synths, additional instruments

Guest musicians
Misstiq – keys
Māra Lisenko – vocals
Christina Rotondo – vocals
Niklas Kveldulfsson – drums
Ingrid.mariea – vocals
Maria Kosma – bass
Margarita Chernova – strings
Norlene Olmedo – cello
Kyba – vocals
Elvann – harp
Kim Fleuchaus – flute
Thomas Englmann – saxophone
Jenny Modeman – additional vocals
C80 – additional keys
Li – gong
Temu – additional vocals
Elsewhere Choir – choir