There are records that come simply to surprise us and to remind us that Metal today is so varied that it is almost impossible to know what will happen on every new album. This is exactly the experience that “Cold Velvet” by The Night Eternal offers: a blend of the frozen, enchanting guitars of Black Metal, the melancholy of Gothic Rock and the energy of Old School Heavy Metal.
Personally, I think the guitars are a little back in the mix, but this must be a choice of The Night Eternal together with their producer. For my part, I would want the guitars a little louder for a better experience. On the other hand, I think the band and the producer chose this mix to support the melancholy of the vocals. To a point, a parallel emerges with Moonspell, mainly as to the melancholy and the way the instruments are mixed. That said, the music of the two bands is very different. The comparison is only for educational purposes.
After I listened to the first track “Where This World Ends” for a second time, I believe the instruments should sound a little louder and the vocals a little further back. I understand the intention of the band and the producer, but I think the music would gain from this. There are moments when it is impossible to hear the instruments, which are in fact very interesting. The work on the guitars is too beautiful to stay so far back — the same applies to the drums. The 80s Gothic Rock on “Eurydice (Don’t Look Back)” would also gain a little from this, since the guitars are sharper with very interesting lyrics. Maybe, though, maybe this is exactly what makes the record so interesting and so far from the ordinary.
“Cold Velvet” is a strong record simply because it follows another path that Metal does not usually take. That makes a huge difference. It is nice to hear something that sometimes makes you feel uncomfortable.
“Cold Velvet” by The Night Eternal was released on August 21 through Metal Blade Records.
Track Listing:
- Where This World Ends
- Eurydice (Don’t Look Back)
- Caught in a Spell
- When the Last Candle Dies
- The Veins of Time
- The Watcher of the Burning Veil
- Shape of Sorrow
- Dance on Crimson Ground
Watch the official video for “Where This World Ends” here:
