Fatale

Some of the best albums we’ve got this year come from the heavy metal category and although we’re halfway through 2023, there is still plenty to come. Among the new releases that popped up recently was the new album by the German heavy metal band The Night Eternal from Essen, the birthplace of Kreator. The band has released their second full-length album Fatale on July 14th via Ván Records, so without further ado, let’s have a look at it, shall we?

From one track to another, The Night Eternal incorporates a ton of melodic heavy metal work with powerful and catchy riffs, emotional guitar solos, mid-tempo drumming, with vocals that are in style very reminiscent Glenn Danzig’s singing. The essence of this album is pure power and heaviness, with each track possessing its own strength that easily transcends into magic in musical form. Some of the strongest tracks that I can give as great examples are definitely “We Praise Death”, the galloping track “Ionean Sea”, “Stars Guide My Way”, “Prometheus Unbound” and “Between the Worlds”. Another great example I can give you is the acoustic instrumental track “The Requiem” which serves as a nice interlude that bridges the gap between “Prometheus Unbound” and the final track “Between the Worlds”. The songwriting is quite simple but on point, where minimalism is put to a good use to reproduce something to crawl under your skin. The strongest point for this album would definitely have to be the vocals of Ricardo Baum, which express such an incredible range of emotions and in style resemble a lot of Glenn Danzig’s singing. My only weakness that I found about this album is that it feels somewhat a very quick listen despite its 42-minute length, which made me feel as if it wasn’t enough and I just kept craving for more. That’s not to say that the album is lackluster, far from it, there’s plenty to adore here, it’s just that when the album finished, I was left like “Wait! That’s it? I want more dammit!”. I think that this is just a minor nitpick that you can definitely look aside and certainly nothing can stop you to see what it has to offer. The album’s production is fairly well done, in a way that you can simultaneously tell that it’s modern and polished yet it doesn’t feel like it, giving the album a very beautiful and clean sound.

Fatale might be some of the best heavy metal albums we’ve got this year and from what I’ve seen in the comments of both fans and critics, it’s definitely praised for its artistic direction. I think I’ll have to check out some of The Night Eternal’s earliest works before Fatale, because this one really was a joy to listen to. I am not quite sure what else should be said other than “Stop wasting time, go check it out!” and I certainly hope you will.

Written for www.Metalbite.com

The Night Eternal’s second album really seems to hone in on the gothic elements of their dark heavy metal style. The echoing production immerses the proceedings in a cavernous haze, the drum patterns have an off-the-cuff spryness, and the vocals dominate the mix leaning on a delivery that sounds like Satan’s Brian Ross doing a Danzig impression. There’s enough of that Mercyful Fate-rooted occult flair in the guitar playing to keep Fatale firmly grounded in metallic territory.

This style is reinforced by the songwriting’s take charge attitude and a consistently driving pace. The speeds on songs like “Prince of Darkness” and “Ionean Sea” have an almost danceable beat to them while the bookending “In Tartarus” and “Between the Worlds” are executed with ceremonial drama. “Prometheus Unbound” evokes the strongest sense of urgency with especially hard-hitting drums, tense gallops, and the album’s most striking chorus.

I might still prefer 2021’s Moonlit Cross by a hair but The Night Eternal shows some gumption with Fatale. Part of me wishes there was a bit more variation in tempos and dynamics, but the atmosphere is immersive enough for the listener to enjoy lingering as the hooks gradually take hold. Anybody who’s been on board for the wave of goth-tinged heavy metal (NWOGTHM?) can consider this to be up their alley; I think it comes the closest to capturing the spirit of In Solitude’s Sister more than any other group.

Oh oh, again I have to ring the bell of shame. Why? Well, unfortunately I totally missed the debut album of German The Night Eternal called Moonlit Cross. I knew the name of the band but I have to confess that I really didn't care about them until I got their latest album Fatale. Shame on me, shame, shame!

Musically the band hasn't changed too much but what is very obvious right from the beginning is that vocalist Ricardo has improved his voice pretty much. He sounds much fuller and has a greater range in his voice. Apart from that the production sounds much more saturated and that gives the 9 songs with a total running time of approximately 42 minutes much more grip and power and makes Fatale a very exciting and sophisticated listening experience. So what is it that makes the album so exciting? Well, first of all I cannot classify The Night Eternal style so easily. It is a mixture of classic heavy metal paired with a lot of occult rock influences and very often the guitar tunes remind me of Heroes Del Silencio (just compare “Entre Dos Tierras” to a song like 'In Tartarus' or 'We Praise Death' and you'll know what I mean). And what also comes to mind is that Ricardo's vocals sound pretty much like a “lighter” version of Glen Danzig back in the days when he was still cool. Stylistically he is pretty much in the same way and has just a little bit higher range in his voice.

Talking about the songs there isn't a single one that somehow falls off. The compositions are very convincing and also very diverse. A song like 'We Praise Death' really kicks ass and is a cool banger with its rhythmic arrangements, on the other side are some more cheerful songs like 'Run With The Wolves' or 'Between The Worlds' that focus more on the technical skills of the quintet. With 'Prometheus Unbound' they also have a very fast and heavy song up in their sleeve, some riffs are almost thrash-like and the vocals are very aggressive. What is remarkable too, are the whispered voices that adds certain evilness to the song. In 'Ionean Sea' you can clearly hear some obvious influences the band has. The twin guitar solo often sounds like Iron Maiden and here and there I also get reminded of newer Tribulation stuff. But for sure that won't be the only big influence since you can also find some gothic influences around every corner and this wide spectrum of styles that the guys combine makes this album so outstanding. Another positive aspect is that with Fatale they don't create a wannabe super evil and depressive piece of music but they always keep up a positive atmosphere and the album never tries to drag you down. Even when they sing about death, there is a bright connotation to it. Sure we can find a lot of drama in songs like 'Stars Guide My Way' but it always turns out good.

Well, as you can read in my words for sure, I was pretty much floored with this album while listening to it the first couple of times and still I cannot find any point of criticism for Fatale. For me this is the highlight in classic heavy metal in 2023 – maybe the guys from Attic or Mercyful Fate can create something similar but only the King and Satan know when this will happen.

Rating: 10 out of 10

Originally written for metalbite.com

Germany’s brooding heavy metallers The Night Eternal are back with their second full length album.

“In Tartarus” is not only the lead single, but the opener of this record, which makes sense with its glaring majesty. The gloomy, moody guitars and dancing drums blend melancholia with gallops and those potent vocals with which the bands sound is inseparable from come through magnificently. Little details like some rototoms and clever chord scapes bring out a bright and nostalgic angle in the bands unique brand of heavy metal which feels timeless, classy and powerful. The way in which they take the true 80s spirit and inject those gothic elements and play in a manner of their own is just as strong here as on the previous EP and LP, which are both excellent releases. Those melodies that grip the heart blend with fist-pounding glory as dynamically clear guitars and thundering bass lines ride the waves of rolling drum attacks. Rejoice, The Night Eternal are back on top form.

The combination of deeper, sombre moods with soaring and triumphant moments contrast each-other beautifully to give a potent and profoundly exciting blend of feelings that are conveyed with music that is nothing short of magical. Like an eerie summons to the dark spirits, each songs is imbued with a sense of genuinely electrifying mysticism, dedicated to the forbidden paths. Although the archaic heavy metal laws are obeyed to the fullest, with no weak elements in their chain-shattering attack, The Night Eternal are not a band to follow in another set of footsteps by any means. Each vocal line is delivered with such a chilling passion that will linger to haunt you long after the record ends, writhing in spiritual anguish to a sublime sonic backdrop. It is a rare thing that a heavy metal band can be tearjerking in a proudly emotive way without sacrificing the savage and wild spirit of the genre, but The Night Eternal achieve this to some of the most convincing effectiveness I have ever heard.

Perhaps the bands strongest asset is their ability to play the simplest of rocking rhythms and add layers of nuances to create something exciting that feels familiar but not recycled. Playing off of the bombastic low end with shimmering leads creates this huge sound that really opens the album up in this huge sound-space while keeping that oppressive sense of dread that plays on the human curiosity to venture further into the night. Indeed, those who fall prey to this recording will find themselves unable to resist the urge to run wild into the unknown. Prepare for a feast of luscious sonic magic that is the epitome of craftsmanship, The Devil’s music rings out in eternity for those who seek it in its undiluted form. That is what is presented to us here.

A majestic, wonderful, magical and luminescent return from The Night Eternal. Continuing to forge their own path of resplendent heavy metal shrouded in mystique, emotionality and occultism. Innovative and exciting but also classic, this restless opus will take you soaring above mountains and plummeting into the darkest abysses, providing a momentum that never dies and will intoxicate you throughout and give you reason to visit “Fatale” time and time again.

Written for www.nattskog.wordpress.com