Eternal Evil returns with another maleficent metal tome since its 2023 release, The Gates Beyond Mortality. Forever Feared shows the band slightly deviating from the black metal influence from its previous release, emphasizing its thrash sound with a scant dose of power and symphonic metal. The album opens with a foreboding prelude of stringed instruments and choir, that is interrupted by the cacophonous “Darkened Sphere”. This is manic, fast paced track with an intricate riff and savage drumming by new addition, Felix Wahlund. The black metal influence creeps in during track’s second half with its tremolo riffing. “A Soul to Cope” commences with a galloping riff straight out of the 1980s before the band once again kicks into high gear. Guitarists Adrian Tobar and Tobias Lindstrom unleash a whirlwind of riffs that are precise, yet aggressive. The second half is a blistering assault of high pitched riffs and pulverizing kick drums.
The title track is where the band delves into power metal territory with the high power kick drums and traditional riffing. Adrian sings clean over a clean riff before adopting a harsher register when the music intensifies. “Eyes of Wrath” is the initial single and shortest track on Forever Feared. It is a blitzing thrasher that showcases why Eternal Evil are at the forefront of this new thrash wave. Felix even performs blast beats (gasp) for added measure. “Triumph Through Pain” has a slight Schizophrenia era Sepultura influence with its stop-start song structure and drum tone. It has a driving tempo several rhythm changes and some stellar guitar leads. “Stain of Roses” is a mournful dirge with sorrowful string arrangements that give way to a clean guitar riff and haunting vocals. The track transitions to a looming baroque riff and slow drumming that conjures an image of a carriage making its way past a cemetery. The album’s final tracks are the longest with “Mountains Gaze” and “I Know, The Fire Burns Inside.” The former track is a thrashing number with a kick drum that fills the room. I intensely banged my head before the midsection finally slowed down. The track speeds up one final time before ending with a piano solo. The latter track is an homage to chorus driven 80s metal. The riffs are mix of King Diamond, Metallica and Sepultura as Adrian mimics a young James Hetfield. The guitar solos have a virtuoso bend to them that are slightly sloppy which adds to the jubilant chaos of the track. Turn this up and bang your head.
Forever Feared is notable for its seamless cohesion. The album’s 38 minute runtime goes by fast due to the lack of filler and drag on the record. The songs are not monotonous, but not so unique that the songs sound out of place. This is attributable to Eternal Evil melding thrash, black, power and symphonic metal with balance. Thus, the title track and “Eyes of Wrath” can play back to back without losing an ounce of energy or mood. The songwriting is well done and the additions of Felix Wahlumd and bassist Adam Sjo continue the stellar musicianship. The one minor criticism is perhaps the guitar leads as they move between classical precision and amateur showmanship. However, they work well on most of the tracks. The production is clear, with a strong bottom end on the guitars and kick drum.
Eternal Evil can add another notch to its belt with Forever Feared. This record is a straight up banger with enough diversity to appease fans of thrash, speed metal and a few power metal fans. It also reaffirms the band’s spot as one of the best new thrash metal acts alongside Vulture, Cruel Force, and Enforced. The fire has never burned brighter.
Check out the band’s page for news and tour dates: https://www.facebook.com/eternalevil666#
