The Eternal - Skinwalker

The Eternal is an Australian based metal band who formed in 1993 as Cryptal Darkness before establishing their current moniker in 2003.  “Skinwalker” is their six full-length album (and first in six years), in addition to having released one demo, two live albums, and an EP.  

Despite their long history, I have never heard of them before this release.  That is no offense to them of course but a testament to how many bands actually exist.  Too much music, too little time I suppose.  

What caught my attention of the promo is this particular album introduces Amorphis drummer Jan Recherger and former Amorphis bassist Niclas Etelävuori to the band.  I can’t ignore talent like that, especially when Amorphis is counted among my very favorite bands.  While it doesn’t sound like Amorphis (nor did I expect it to), this album does share that band’s penchant for adventurous songwriting with some progressive flavors. However, “Skinwalker” is also an album that is very Gothic, moody and doomy.  If you want a good idea as to what to expect just imagine some kind of mixture between Sentenced and Katatonia with heaping doses of fear and loathing. 

The mainstay of the band, and only original member left, is guitarist/vocalist Mark Kelson.  Unsurprisingly, he is also the album’s MVP….he puts so much emotion in both his playing and vocals.  Obviously, being a metal album, it has plenty of heavy moments but it’s also weighty because of the pure emotional dredge the album sent me through.  It’s punishing on many levels, to say the least.  Despite that, the album has a smooth and free flowing sound to it.  It’s an hour long but it certainly doesn’t feel like it.  It doesn’t help that it sounds immaculate—this album is a prime example how an album can sound amazing without being overproduced.  

The album begins with the nearly 11 minute long opus “Abandoned By Hope.”  Tomi from Amorphis makes a guest appearance, supplying the death growls that perfectly contrast yet compliment Mark’s lovely clean vocals.  He also provides, along with fellow guitarist Richie Poate, guitars that layer themselves amongst clean tones, heavy riffs, and sweeping atmospheric tension.  The guitar solo in the song’s middle portion is emotive and leads into a sterling performance of Tomi’s death growls before another solo blazes off that buildup.  

“Under The Black,” has a bit of a 70’s rock vibe to it, progressive elements latching on to the edge of traditional old school doom inspired riffs.  Jan’s drums own the world on this song; he has long since been one of my favorite drummers because he makes his style so atmospheric which isn’t easy to do on drums.  He nails down the vibe of the song even while supplying a backbone to it, along with Niclas; he shines throughout, particularly well during the cleaner parts because he offers a low end that is still melodic.   

The middle part of the song ebbs and flows with lovely clean vocal grooming, fantastic drumming, and heavy guitars.  The lead guitar finds its place among it all, offering a performance that honors the elements that help hold it up high even while forging its own path.

“When The Fire Dies,” is a straight up melancholic doom song that sounds right at home for anyone who loves somber sad boy music. I eat this style right up and this one cleaned my pallet.  Mark’s deeper cleans open the song but he raises above the tension with angelic highs while the drums help the song come back down to darker waters.  On top of all this, the song is catchy as hell even while it made me want to die inside.  Around the four minute mark, a post-metal style solo blankets it all with an incredible tapestry.

The title track is, as it should be, one of the best songs on the album.  It’s definitely one of the darker and heavier ones, complete with a sense of foreboding danger.  The vocals match the quiet intensity that boils just under the surface.  This song unfurls in a special way, creeping towards you but making sure to take its time overtaking the soul.

The final song, “Shattered Remains,” has a wonderfully lush opening that is as beautiful as it is dark.  The verses are catchy and open to wide pastures that capture the essence of the album’s sound.  More death growls from Tomi help push the song into sonic territories , unbothered by touches of light. The final half of the song is perhaps my favorite on the whole album…it’s just a harrowing dirge that feels as broken as it emotionally potent.

THE ETERNAL’s ‘Skinwalker’ is a truly fantastic, engaging and surprising album for me in this second half of the year.  I wasn’t sure what to expect but it exceeded anything my brain could imagine.