The Eternal – Celestial

The Eternal
Celestial
Label: Reigning Phoenix Music
Out: 16^th January 2026
Playing time: 27:54

The Eternal are an Australian Finnish Progressive Dark Metal band. The band was founded already in 2003. Between 1993 and 2003, the musicians (or at least some of them) were active under the name Cryptal Darkness. The Eternal have released seven studio albums and one live album so far. Following the success of ‘Skinwalker’ (2024), the band’s second EP, entitled ‘Celestial’, is now being released.

A one-minute intro on an EP that’s just under 28 minutes long? That’s exactly what ‘Absence Of Light’ is, characterised by string sounds. Later on, there are synths and technically distorted voices. In my opinion, this would have been dispensable. The melodic ballad ‘Celestial Veil’ compensates for this a little. The press release mentioned Dark Metal. The calm sounds confirm this. The synths at the beginning of ‘It All Ends’ also fit in with this. And it remains with calm sounds. Singer Mark Kelson has a pleasant dark timbre. Some subtle but equally calm riffs harmonise with the vocals. The sophisticated guitar solo is the crowning glory of the song. ‘Bleeding Into Light’ is also calm, almost contemplative. ‘Casting Down Shadows’ is then a little bit faster. Here, there are also some harder riffs to be heard. But the vocals return to a more contemplative mood. This interplay continues throughout the rest of the track. With ‘Everlasting MMXXVI’, the purely contemplative sound is actually abandoned. The song has a really lively feel to it. Although we continue to hear Dark Rock/Metal. For me, this is the best song on the EP.

The Eternal mostly immerse us in dark, sedate soundscapes. This is an EP that is mostly intended to have a calming effect on the listener. The exception to this rule is the final song. Pleasant melodies dominate, without however drifting into the mainstream or becoming cheesy. One should simply let oneself be carried away by the sounds.

The Eternal – It All Ends: https://youtu.be/_rnQrQe1U44?si=2KFBnSGJzNHbStu8

Lineup:

Mark Kelson – Guitar, Vocals
Richie Poate – Guitar
Niclas Etelävuori – Bass
Jan Rechberger – Drums, Percussion

Track list:

• Absence Of Light
• Celestial Veil
• It All Ends
• Bleeding Into Light
• Casting Down Shadows
• Everlasting MMXXVI