heavy-metal-darkness: The Eternal |Celestial |Reigning Phoenix Music

Thursday, January 29, 2026

The Eternal |Celestial |Reigning Phoenix Music

Release Date January 16^th, 2026
Format CD/Vinyl/Digital
Genre Gothic Metal
Country Australia, Finland

Born from the bleak fusion of Melbourne’s gloom and Helsinki’s frost, The Eternal has evolved into a heavy-hitting international force. After the massive reception of "Skinwalker" back in 2024, the core duo of Mark Kelson and Richie Poate kept the momentum rolling by locking in the Finnish rhythm section of Niclas Etelävuori and Jan Rechberger. This lineup isn't just a random collection of names; it’s a veteran crew that bridges the gap between atmospheric gothic vibes and crushing doom, carving out a space that sounds like a funeral in a cathedral.

After "Skinwalker," these guys had set the bar higher. "Celestial" doesn't mess around. It hits with a thick, suffocating atmosphere that keeps the "Gothic" tag honest. The production is massive, giving the riffs enough space to bleed without losing the punch. Kelson’s vocals are as mournful as ever, and the addition of the Amorphis pedigree in the rhythm section provides a solid, punishing foundation. It’s a gloomy trip that rewards anyone who actually wants to sit down and listen to the music instead of just having it on as background noise.

The songwriting on tracks like "Celestial Veil" and "Casting Down Shadows" shows a band that isn't scared to let a melody hurt. They’ve managed to capture that specific brand of misery that fans of Swallow The Sun or Katatonia live for. There’s a lot of shadow here, but the melodies are strong enough to keep the whole thing from sinking into a total black hole. It’s heavy, it’s depressing, and it sounds massive through a pair of decent headphones.

That said, calling it an EP feels a bit modest given the length of these compositions. "It All Ends" and "Bleeding Into Light" pack more ideas into five minutes than most bands manage in an entire career. The updated version of "Everlasting MMXXVI" is a nice touch for the long-time fans, showing how much this current lineup has beefed up the old-school sound. It’s a strong, focused release that keeps the fire burning until the next full-length drops.

Score: 7.8