The Night Eternal has released a new single, “The Veins of Time,” which highlights the band’s ability to blend heavy metal and hard rock. The song has a nighttime atmosphere, with big hooks and arena power, but still manages to cling to its heavy metal roots. The band’s background in the German thrash and black metal scene gives them a strong grounding in creating the right atmosphere. This is a rarefied form of the ’80s Judas Priest-AOR hybrid, making it the Heavy Song of the Week.
Other bands, such as Sleep and Devil Master, have also recently released notable singles. Sleep’s “The Morrisist” has a heavy, Sabbathian feel, while Devil Master’s “Death Anthem” is a nasty, evil, and gothic song that showcases the band’s sleazy style. These bands, along with Final Gasp and Spell, who released excellent records this year, demonstrate the diversity and quality of the current heavy music scene.
The Night Eternal’s music is similar to that of Sumerlands and Night Flight Orchestra, who are also successful at blending heavy metal and AOR elements. The focus on big hooks and arena power can often deflate heavy bands, but The Night Eternal’s background in the German thrash and black metal scene gives them a strong foundation in creating the right atmosphere.
Honorable Mentions
Ch’ahom – “Cult of Xaman” is a notable song that combines the forcefulness of black and death metal with the elaborate flourish of Yes. The song is imaginative and catchy, with a raw production and an airy mix that showcases the band’s ability to blend different styles.
Iapetus – “Red Giant” feat. Fabienne Erni is another notable song, with a melodic metal sound that sacrifices neither intensity nor ambition. The song is long, but each riff is imagined as the intro riff before the chorus, with an ever-expanding sense of motion. The song features ferocious drumming and blast beats, as well as anthemic hooks, making it a perpetual eruption.
Stick Men – “Komodo” is a song that delivers a menacing and strange atmosphere, with a moody, almost Sabbathian dirge. The song features wild guitar freakouts that refuse to become indisciplined, even in their menace. The band, which includes former King Crimson members Pat Mastelloto and Tony Levin, showcases their ability to create complex and intriguing music that is both brilliant and lasting.
In conclusion, the heavy music scene is thriving, with a diverse range of bands and styles. From The Night Eternal’s blend of heavy metal and AOR to Ch’ahom’s combination of black and death metal with Yes-style flourish, there is something for every fan of heavy music. With Iapetus and Stick Men also releasing notable songs, it’s clear that the genre is in good hands, and fans can look forward to many more exciting releases in the future.
Pixel P. Snarkbyte, widely regarded as the “Shakespeare of Sh*tposts,” is a video game expert with a unique knack for turning pixels into punchlines.
Born in the small town of Respawn, Pennsylvania, Pixel grew up mashing buttons on an ancient NES controller, firmly believing that “blowing into the cartridge” was a sacred ritual passed down through generations.
Pixel P. Snarkbyte: proving that life, much like a buggy open-world game, is better with a little lag-induced chaos.
