Nine Circles

I have a long history of not listening to a band when the surrounding hype is inescapable. This was the case with Eternal Storm’s first release Come The Tide, an album that received universal praise upon its release back in 2019 and one I clearly didn’t listen to, despite the fact that on paper it would be something I would enjoy. Now, almost five years later, I can no longer avoid my own curiosity and decided to dive into A Giant Bound to Fall.

Before starting the review properly I wasn’t sure what to expect with this record when I first decided to listen to it. All I knew about the band was that their music had been described as “atmospheric death metal,” a label applicable to bands who tend to infuse the hazy atmosphere you find in black metal into their death metal. To put it simply, think of the instrumentation being highlighted every now and then complete with walls of sound, but still having riffs be the focus. However, what I was not expecting was for this band to take elements from other melodeath bands, integrate them into the atmosphere, and blend it all together with a touch of prog. The only way I can describe this combination is “unsullied,” as it sounds clear and pristine in its execution.

First track “An Abyss of Unreason” starts off with the sound of waves reaching the shore, slowly incorporating drums, guitars, and synths before transforming into something frenetic and melodic. This song is an excellent first impression of what Eternal Storm have been up to since their previous release, as if elevating their own musical chops. It’s clear that the band has taken the time to create music that speaks to the soul, each song meticulously composed and orchestrated to the point where no track sounds the same. Although there are similar musical themes throughout the record, each song stands out on its own. From the haunting vocals punctuating the end of “Last Refuge” to the instrumental solo that sounds like something straight out of Insomnium’s Shadows of the Dying Sun on “The Sleepers,” each song highlights something different that makes you take notice of what they are trying to do. There are even touches of other genres as well, such as death-doom parts in closer and the title track and it’s all weaved together into this seamless yet beautiful song that just makes this whole album worth it. There’s always something different and something that pulls you back into the main melodic themes. You can only get so lost in the intricacies and complexity that Eternal Storm has created before a track ends and a new one begins. Perhaps this is what “atmospheric death metal” means: a pristine, fresh atmosphere that incorporates elements outside of death metal, but is still rooted within the confines of the genre itself.

Despite this, my only minor nitpick regarding this record is its runtime. While I do give them a pass for having a 69-minute runtime due to the gap between releases, A Giant Bound to Fall would have benefitted from being trimmed down. However, to fully appreciate how vast and poignant this album is, the runtime is warranted. An album of this intensity is worth its weight in sonic salt.

A Giant Bound to Fall is a highly poignant, emotional record, indicating that Eternal Storm took the time to compose and create an album that would be seen as a worthy follow-up to Come The Tide. It is also a breath of fresh air for people who believe that melodeath is stale and running out of ideas. Although the runtime might be a barrier to entry, the music’s quality and its atmospheric beauty are worth it. For people who appreciate production and mixing, they are going to enjoy how clean the production is. I am kicking myself for not exploring their music sooner, but this just cements – to me, at least – that modern melodeath is alive and well.

Hasta la proxima!

— Hera

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A Giant Bound to Fall is available now on Transcending Obscurity Records. For more information on Eternal Storm, visit their official Facebook page.