THE ETERNAL - Obscured Horizons

'Lament For The Hollow' opens the album with an engaging riff and driving drums, steadily building momentum before the clean, melancholic vocals enter. The singing seems to float like a delicate shadow above the demanding instrumentation, initially fragile but gradually gaining strength as the song unfolds. Yet even at its most forceful, that underlying vulnerability never disappears, creating a compelling balance between sadness and power. A beautifully atmospheric solo towards the end intensifies that feeling once more and brings the opener to a memorable close. 

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Things become heavier and more melodic with 'Existing To Expire', while a more varied pace gives the composition additional movement. A memorable hook and particularly noticeable bass line provide some strong moments, and the songwriting remains engaging for the most part. However, certain passages feel slightly overstretched and begin to lose momentum along the way. Far from a weak track, but compared to the stronger moments surrounding it, 'Existing To Expire' ultimately feels more like a filler within the album. 

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'Harmony Breaks' takes a more spacious approach, opening with prominent drums while the guitars remain slightly further in the background. Calm, beautifully melancholic vocals carry much of the emotion, with the memorable chorus quickly finding its way into your head. There is something remarkably freeing about the composition, almost like finally being able to take a deep breath after carrying too much weight. Wrapped in a warm, gentle atmosphere, the song feels like a welcome breeze passing through the darker corners of the album.

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'I've Seen The Dream' unfolds within an almost dreamlike setting, shaped by tender melodies and carefully placed guitar and drum parts. Once again, the vocals form the emotional heart of the composition, drawing you deeper into its melancholic atmosphere. As the song progresses, the guitars begin to take on a more narrative role of their own, adding further depth without disturbing its delicate character. Close your eyes and simply let the music carry you away.

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With title track 'Obscured Horizons', we enter the final stretch of the album, and the instrumentation immediately pushes things forward with a rhythm that makes it difficult not to nod along. A particularly strong bass line gives the heavier sections plenty of weight, while the vocals feel slightly less commanding compared to some of the album's stronger performances. Whether intentional or not, this leaves more room for the rhythm section to take centre stage. Towards the end, another creative guitar solo adds a welcome melodic highlight and once again manages to pull me in.

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The journey comes to an end with 'Awaken', where ethereal sounds and a clean guitar line linger in the background, forming the backbone of the composition. Surprisingly, the vocals take on a much harder edge, yet never lose the emotional vulnerability that has been present since the opener. This contrast allows THE ETERNAL to showcase another side of their sound while remaining true to the atmosphere of the album. There is something deeply connecting about 'Awaken',a powerful and heartfelt way to bring Obscured Horizons to a close.

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With "Obscured Horizons", THE ETERNAL creates an emotionally rich journey where melancholic beauty and heavier moments exist comfortably side by side. Expressive vocals, strong bass lines and carefully placed melodies give the album plenty of depth, while its quieter passages often leave the strongest impression. Not every song reaches the same heights, but when everything falls into place, "Obscured Horizons" feels deeply personal, immersive and remarkably easy to connect with.

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SCORE 8/10

REVIEWED BY SWAMPY