Often when I listen to modern albums I heard music that has been put together with no heart or soul. Sure it is musical and at times it is even catchy, but the issue is there are no depths to it, it sounds like a musician going through the motions. That is something that certainly can’t be said for brand new Aussie black metal outfit EOS.
Their debut album The Great Ascension has been ten years in the making and the result is an album where every moment of music has been delivered with heart – in fact this album is everything that a black metal album should – it is shrouded in anguish and pain and that is constant throughout the album thanks to the lead vocalists experts cries and growls.
Now I say lead vocalist there because however as much as I would love to I cannot name any of the members of this trio. Just like this album EOS themselves are completely shrouded in mystery and darkness. Only the three members know who each other are.
Musically The Great Ascension is near on perfect. The title track sees a mix of manic instrumentals and anguished cries from the lead singer while their cover of Lord Belial’s “Black Winter Bloodbath” is one of the darker tracks on the album and the drumming takes on a mind of its own.
The one thing that remains with you after you listen to the album though is the atmosphere that the band manages to create throughout. “Valkyrie” conjures up an atmosphere of darkness that is only further enhanced by the very creative instrumentals led by a gifted guitarist who seems on a mission to deliver the most amazing music of all time.
That amazing guitar playing continues on the brutal “Draugar” while the deep, instrumental, dark chasm of atmosphere again rears its head on “Amour Propre”. The bands brutal side is raised on “Memnto Mori” while the band reaches a full crescendo on the masterpiece that is “Illumination And Will.” That final track sees everything come together perfectly. The pained screams of the vocals the drumming that seems to take the track into another realm and it is all brought together by a guitarist on a mission.
There may be a lot of secrets around EOS but one thing that certainly isn’t a secret is the fact that this talented trio are one of the brightest (or should that be darkest) sparks currently on the Australian music roster.
