Eternal Black - Slow Burn Suicide (Album Review)

Release date: June 13th 2019. Label: Self Released. Format: DD

Slow Burn Suicide – Tracklisting

1.All These Things Destroy You... 01:21

2.Lost in the Fade 06:34

3.Below 04:42

4.The Ghost 05:21

5.Sum of All Fears 04:53

6.A Desert of No Name 05:13

7.Three Fates 02:54

8.Sinners, Saints, and Madmen 04:36

9.All These Things (Slight Return) 02:22

Members

Hal Miller: Bass,

Joe Wood: Drums,

Ken Wohlrob: Guitars, Vocals

Review

Greetings All,

Old school doom, I’m a sucker for it. Simple and classic, massive low end, monstrous drums, and big, down tuned riffs can make the emptiest of souls feel a little warm and fuzzy inside. With their second album, Slow Burn Suicide, Brooklyn, New York's Eternal Black deliver old school doom in spades. The band most definitely carries their inspiration on their sleeves, you can hear the sounds of Saint Vitus throughout the record as the bands massive sound and growled, dark lyrics plunge deep into the heart and soul of the listener. While the style is old school, the sound is impressive, the record is impressively recorded and played with precision and a style all their own.

The record opens with All These Things Destroy You, a brief, doom filled, reverb laden instrumental that sets the mood for what is to come. Lost in the Fade is a classic riff heavy, massive drum filled rock track. Below follows with a killer groove and tons of swagger.

The Ghost keeps the darkness alive with a pummelling riff and a raging, face melting solo. An ominous tone brings in the heavy Sum Of All Fears. The band brings the fuzz to kick out the desert flavoured jam on A Desert Of No Name with a drum driven breakdown. The sombre, acoustic Three Fates soothes the soul a bit with an echo sound and buried distortion before giving way to Sinners, Saints, and Madmen. This plodding track kicks in with some serious, wah heavy riffage. The album closes almost as it began with All These Things Destroy You (slight return) bringing the dark, intense journey full circle.

Slow Burn Suicide is a testament to old school doom and the mighty power that it delivers. If you dig Saint Vitus, Orange Goblin, or the like, you definitely need to check out Eternal Black. They are worthy carriers of the torch for all things Doom. Dig on it!

- Todd S - Instagram @alltheghoststhathauntyou

Words by Todd Stealey

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp

Eternal Black - Bleed The Days (Album Review)

Release date: August 8th 2017. Label: Self Released. Format: CD/DD

Bleed The Days – Tracklisting

1.The Lost, The Forgotten, and The Undying

2.Snake Oil and Coffin Nails

3.Sea of Graves

4.Into Nothing

5.Stained Eyes on a Setting Sun

6.Bleed The Days

7.All Gods Fall

Band Members

Hal Miller: Bass

Joe Wood: Drums

Ken Wohlrob: Guitars, Vocals

Review

Eternal Black's debut album - Bleed The Days - is an epic and vintage slice of traditional doom metal with moments of modern sounding distorted stoner and fuzz. Fans of Black Sabbath and Saint Vitus will find much to enjoy here. The album opens with a long sounding horn before the doom riff kicks in that Sabbath would be mighty proud off.

Opening track - The Lost, The Unforgotten and The Undying - shows Eternal Black mean business from the start with the band creating an eerie and gloomy atmosphere. The sound is definitely vintage with the vocals adding a menacing touch. The lyrics are influenced by old-school doom metal and it's refreshing to hear. The mood is permanently dark but Eternal Black never let the music depress you as they create hard rocking moments for you to lose yourself in.

Second track - Snake Oil and Coffin Riffs - opens with a hazy and distorted psychedelic riff before the band adapt a more Stoner based sound. The vocals from Ken are more refined with a blusier approach. The song maybe too slow-paced for some though this allows you to immerse yourself with Eternal Black's dark world. The fuzz sounds are a welcome addition as Eternal Black start to have fun with their music.

Can I use the term "fun" with an album such as this?

Yeah, why not. As the album still retains its Doom Metal credentials with creepy song titles, lyrics, vocals and riffs all showcasing what a damn fine album this is. Songs such as Sea Of Grave, Strained Eyes On A Setting Sun and the epic eleven minute opus - All Gods Fail - is perhaps where Eternal Black impresses the most. 

The music they create here will make your hair stand-up on end as the album becomes gloomier and darker as a result. The main strength of the album is no doubt the lyrical content and vocal performance from Ken. Don't get me wrong, the music is excellent as well. I felt a more deeper connection with the lyrics and vocal performance from Ken.

This is an album that takes influence from the legendary doom metal bands of the last forty years but Eternal Black add an exciting modern feel to their overall sound. Eternal Black manages to show off their progressive side on songs such as Sea Of Graves and All Gods Fail. The production is first rate with the album showcasing how technically impressive the band actually are. The overall sound of the album is immense from the start with the different elements of music being played at a loud rate.

Bleed The Days is a perfect example in how to create and release a vintage sounding Doom Metal album. It's an exciting and action packed debut album that could see Eternal Black play their music on the more established Doom/Stoner Metal festivals and stages across the globe.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Links:

Official | Facebook | BandCamp