The Eternal - Celestial (2026)

Perfectly unleashing a highly melancholic mixture of Gothic and Doom Metal, today we have international outfit The Eternal, returning with a six-track EP titled “Celestial”. Featuring current and ex members of Finland’s Amorphis and members of Australia’s Nefariym, this release unleashes nearly 30 minutes of music that reminds us of a cross between bands like To/Die/For with sprinkles of Anathema and Paradise Lost.

After the dreamy opener, “Celestial Veil” quickly unleashes powerful Doomy riffs that set a very melancholic backdrop to Mark Kelson’s piercing vocals. The band’s ability to shift tempos and moods is very effective, partly thanks to Jan Rechberger’s expert drumming, creating very dynamic songs. Other tracks like “It All Ends” have a more prominent Gothic Metal edge with crafty percussions and dreamy atmospherics, reminding us of the late 90’s/early 2000’s Finnish Gothic Metal scene.

Oozing melancholy, the dramatic leads and bleak vocals of “Bleeding Into Light” make this one of our favorite tracks in the release. A certain Swallow the Sun-esque vibe on “Casting Down Shadows” showcases the band’s versatility and broad range, particularly Niclas Etelävuori’s crafty Bass guitar lines, going against engaging atmospherics and moody melodic passages.

Overall, as the release closes with the bonus track, a reinterpretation of the band’s “Everlasting” song out of their sophomore release “Sleep of Reason”, The Eternal showcase their ever evolving and refining sound, while keeping true to their core melancholic elements and nature. Perfectly balancing that ‘retro’ style with newer and fresher influences, “Celestial” is one hell of a melancholic release that any fan of the genre will greatly enjoy.

Label: Rising Phoenix Music

Release: January 16th, 2026

Genre: Gothic/Doom Metal

Country: International