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They heralded a new era of dark, experimental & melodic
gothic metal alongside Opeth, Katatonia, and Nightingale,
but like Opeth, they too take it to the extreme. Showing now
benevolence with all things heavy, including thick, blistering
riffage and guttural growls, Night Eternal will undoubtedly
be another creative peak in the band’s career.
And they aren’t just being extreme and dark just for
the sake of being extreme and dark – they know song structure,
they know real musicianship, and they know how to kick ass.
“Dreamless,” “Scorpion Flower,” and the “First Light” are
the expressions of sorrowful grandeur while “Spring of Rage,”
“Moon in Mercury,” and the title track are centered at the
utmost of belligerent tunesmith ability. Along with the brash
guitar and turbulent rhythms, Night Eternal’s gloom riddled
atmosphere is enhanced by the keyboard soundscapes, occasional
clean vocal hooks, and ‘spacious production’ (reverb), further
casting the pall amongst the extremities. Nevertheless, don’t
let the growls or the plummeting edge of the band’s musical
force intimidate you, for the worlds of fierce ear candy and
melodramatic monstrosity collide on this record, for which
with Night Eternal, Moonspell have not only rediscovered their
touch, but may have re-invented it as well.
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