Forsaken Eternity – A Kingdom Of Ice
Forsaken Eternity – A Kingdom Of Ice
Rottweiler Records
Release Date: 08/07/2022
Running Time: 32:34
Review by Victor Augusto
8/10
Once again, I am here stuck on another introduction of my strange thoughts in the form of what most people call an album review! This time I caught myself thinking what made me pick up this band for review. Of course, the great music of these much talented musicians was a huge detail. But I think it was that the brilliant elements we are used to hearing from bands from Finland sounded interesting and it’s cool to flee from the same old Death and Thrash Metal that I normally write about. But to my surprise, despite their Scandinavian-influenced sound, they’re an American band from Portland, Oregon.
On the band’s release info, they mention that they’re fans of bands like Children of Bodom and Dimmu Borgir. For me, these 2 bands, out of all the others they mention, could perfectly define my first impression of hearing their music. The strong layers from the keyboards alongside a shredding technique of guitars leads was the first thing that reminded me Children of Bodom. Then, the rawness of the vocal and the constant fast drum pace, going more to blast beats, are more oriented to Dimmu Borgir. Sometimes, a few of the keyboards passages also remind me of this Norwegian Black Metal band.
It’s funny, because I always saw Children of Bodom like an Evil Death Metal version of Yngwie Malmsteen. But here the band not only has them as influence, but they also have a cover of Yngwie Malmsteen’s ‘Rising Force’, to show these influences! And the instrumental ‘Sonata Concertata In Cm’ is another example of that.
The two other bands they mention on the “For Fans of” – Vesperian Sorrow and Wintersun – explain my feelings about hearing Finnish Symphonic Death Metal with huge Scandinavian Black Metal influences. Although Vesperian Sorrow are an American band, they are Symphonic Black Metal, and Wintersun are a Finnish Symphonic Melodic Death Metal band. And again these sounds cut through and you can definitely hear their references in Forsaken Eternity’s musical direction. If you enjoy a bit of each style, you will love this album, especially with so many different elements of the genres explored. And the fact that they’ve put it all together increases the richness of their composition.
Personally, I am not such a huge fan of these styles, but it is blasphemy if I don’t say how Forsaken Eternity have done a great job to compose such good music. Also a blasphemy would be not to mention the amazing title track, ‘A Kingdom Of Ice’, as the highlight of the album. For me, this tack carries all the best from the band in a good balance, from melody and good atmosphere, to the heaviness and fast drum speed.
For a debut album, it’s clear they are very talented musicians. It’s a matter of time to increase their own identity, but I am sure they’re on the right path.
‘A Kingdom of Ice’ Official Lyric Video
TRACKLISTING:
01. Skywards
02. A Dark Divinity
03. Shadow Fortress
04. Endless Light
05. Forsaken Eternity
06. Sonata Concertata In Cm
07. A Kingdom Of Ice
08. Rising Force (Yngwie Malmsteen cover)
LINE-UP:
Nathan Mote – Vocals
Vladimore – Guitar/Bass
Jason ‘The Machine’ Borton – Drums
Brian Rush – Keyboards
LINKS:
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