VAN RECORDS is proud to present THE NIGHT ETERNAL’s highly anticipated second album, Fatale.

From their self-titled debut EP in 2019 to their first album, Moonlit Cross, two years later, THE NIGHT ETERNAL’s ascent has been swift and assured. The German quintet’s aesthetic has been firm from the beginning – melodic-yet-moody heavy metal with more than a hint of hard rock’s diabolical past – but even the transition from the EP to the full-length proved that their vision still had infinitely shadowy corridors to explore. “Bend, but don’t break,” as the maxim goes, and THE NIGHT ETERNAL return another two years later with a full-length exploring more shadows than ever.

Titled Fatale, THE NIGHT ETERNAL’s second album immediately conjures an intoxicating aura: harder and heavier and definitely DARKER, and yet also somehow smoother and more mysterious. Dynamics play a key here on Fatale; while the Germans still rock hard, a keen grasp of nuance colors these nine anthems, almost purple velvet in atmosphere. Fittingly, their already-ace melodicism bristles with an anthemic energy even when taking decidedly darker steps into the Beyond. What results is, irrevocably, a startlingly unique version of THE NIGHT ETERNAL – a sound and style that can truly be called their own.

As the band explain, “Our attempt for Fatale was to make THE NIGHT ETERNAL sound even more like ourselves. It should be recognizable for everyone that it’s us after just a few seconds of listening. We tried to simultaneously make the melodies and riffs catchier and also to give the overall sound a harder, more sinister and timeless touch.”

No truer words spoken. Catchier, harder, more sinister, and above all timeless, Fatale is sympathetically rendered in a powerfully crystal-clear production courtesy of Marco Brinkmann, finished off by Arthur Rizk’s mastering. Huge and spacious but magickally retaining an intimacy and mystery, THE NIGHT ETERNAL’s second long-player sounds and feels stadium-ready much like their foundational heroes Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, and the Scorpions. But again, it cannot be overstated how Fatale decisively establishes the band as a unique entity all themselves.

Those who thrill to the dark passions of Tribulation, The Devils Blood, In Solitude, and Unto Others, prepare for reckoning with THE NIGHT ETERNAL’s Fatale.

VAN RECORDS

REVIEW

1. In Tartarus kicks of ‘Fatale’ and as expected, has that deep, dark emotion that I would expect from The Night Eternal. I love how majestically unique the bands sound is and how it resonates, especially using production to good use. The track has colossal soundscape with pounding tom work at moments combined with driving bass lines, and eerie guitar notes for which i can only describe as singing out, echoing through the gloom. Brilliant!

2. Prince of Darkness continues the album and like the opening track fills the vast open spaces around you with its quick pace, profound sincere vocal lines and melodies that call out to you from afar. Its combination of mood, passion and delicate, bittersweet notes will capture your ears in an instant.

3. We Praise Death takes of with a hypnotic scaling guitar pattern, before you are submersed in more pulsating instrumentation. It continues with what you would expect from T.N.E which is more emotion, the feeling that a darkness is hanging over head and a tantalising solo that echoes from the mountains. Ricardo’s vocal performance is powerful and at moments he truly digs deep shouting lines that sends a chill down your spine.

4. Ionean Sea feels like your in a dream state, floating though fields of stars at moments. From a galloping introduction topped with melodic harmonised heavy metal guitars to intricate and captivating ideas that show of the bands ability to write well structured and interesting songs this is a great mid album piece. Skipping along at moments the song has a lot of character and beauty that gives this song charm. Ionean Sea is another tracks that does not disappoint.

5. Stars Guide My Way feels at times like a angelic, glistening voyage through endless space and time. It gloriously blazes through the night sky like a shooting star. I particularly love how the song changes its tone with the 16th high hat patterns backed by thick, driving chords of rhythm guitars. Stars Guide My Way has that classic heavy metal feel good magic through out and because of this, I must say it was one of my favourite and stand out tracks of the album so far.

6. Run With the Wolves takes you on a magnificent yet creeping adventure. This is one of those tracks where you will find moments to stomp your feet and bang your head to. Each hard hit of this brutal track could create a crater in the ground. Then on the flip side of these moments, you will feel like you are galloping towards the moonlight with the night time breeze through hair. Or searching the vast open desert sands for purpose. Like previous songs on the album, the tracks polished production and use of spacing and reverb makes it sound massive. I have noticed more and more the presence of gothic undertones on this album and it works perfectly for the bands sound.

7. Prometheus Unbound is quite menacing and spooky at times, yet somewhat intense and dramatic with how much is going on. You could open your eyes and feel taken back with its relentless power as you descend at great speeds through the atmosphere. This is one of those songs that feels like a swarm of unwelcome wasps in the dust clouds. Mysterious and undiluted this is evil in its purest form.

Notably, sombreness is a theme that stands strong throughout this album but its a contrast against the injections of heroic heavy metal which is a combination that makes The Night Eternal truly special.

8. The Requiem opens with the delicate, illustrious and dulcet tones of twanging acoustic guitar. It feels like the key that opens up your soul. It a simple and short track that provides a thought provoking moment in an extravagant and intricately woven tapestry of an album.

9. Between the Worlds finishes up an truly amazing album. The intro feels like its been drenched in pure Iron Maiden magic and this is not the only time this happens. With that signature Maiden drum pattern and the delicious guitar melodies it takes out the album in triumph and glory. It storms forward with great momentum before dropping off on the fast tempo. It plays on tempo and mood changes a lot which Is something that I find makes this song. The Night Eternal are masters of blending melancholia with striking heavy metal tones and this closing song is a great example of this.

Conclusion

Despite my recent discovery of The Night Eternal and having only heard a few of their songs initially, their latest album has left me utterly captivated. The exceptional and compelling nature of this record is bound to mesmerise you and leave you yearning to replay it over and over. With its emotive and dusky depths, it takes you on an adventurous journey that illuminates your dreams and transports you beyond the stars. Describing it as a masterpiece wouldn’t do it justice – it’s like an exciting voyage into the vast unknown. Among all the great albums I’ve heard this year, this one has securely claimed a spot in my top 10 of 2023! You won’t be disappointed!

THENWOTHM SCORE: 9/10

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