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ETERNAL OATH ‘Wither’ Black Lodge (2005)
When the guys in Eternal Oath first got together back in 1991, their intention was to create a traditional Death Metal band, and so they did. After a couple of unsuccessful attempts, they managed to release their first demo named 'Art of Darkness'. It was not long after that release that the band’s musical direction changed into what is better known today as Atmospheric Metal – the road to which was full of traps and nasty surprises.
There is no point mentioning all the bad things that have happened to the band before they reached an agreement with the Swedish label Black Lodge. The fact that 'Wither', their latest studio release whose review you are now reading is the third studio album that the band has released in their thirteen year career, speaks for itself.
After the beginning of 2004, when the contract was signed between the two parties, the band started working on the twelve compositions which are now featured in this album and that is soon going to be released in the Metal market.
Well, I guess that the term Atmospheric Metal is not enough to describe the music of Eternal Oath, so let me start by saying that many of you will find quite a few similarities in their music with that of the early Paradise Lost. The band’s music is based on classic rhythmical guitar riffs, and even though keyboards are very important in creating the right atmosphere, they restrain themselves by accepting the role of an additional rhythm guitar. Sounds really good yes? As for the vocals, I believe that Joni 'Gosta' Maensivu is a good singer, but there is nothing in his vocals that will make him stand out from all the young and talented singers that share the same influences with him.
I am not trying to say that 'Wither' is not a good album. There are quite a few songs like the opening track 'Behind Tomorrow', the cleverly technical 'Godsend' and the melodic 'Fallen Virtue' (which is my favourite song of the album by the way) that I found more than enjoyable. The problem though is that there are more than just three songs in this album – songs that are not of bad quality, but whose structure and tempo is not enough to make them memorable.
I do not want to influence anyone by my opinion of this album - you are more than welcome to find a copy and listen to it once it is released. My belief is that there is plenty of talent within the ranks of this band, but it is still in a primitive form. There is nothing wrong with that though. Now that the fate of this band is in better hands, we only have to hope that they will be given the chance to prove their worth. What these six musicians really need is that, and plenty of hard work, of course.
Review by John Stefanis
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