Reternity - A Test of Shadows

Reternity

A Test of Shadows

by Neil Cook at 19 October 2020, 5:37 PM

Whatever crap 2020 has been and thrown at us all, it seems to have been a pretty good year for music.  There has been a number of great releases, and the time we’ve had has allowed me personally to discover some great bands I’ve perhaps missed before.  And one corner of our beloved Metal to be of particular note is the traditional “Classic”  Metal mob.  UK bands such as ABSOLVA, KAINE, AIRFORCE to name but three have flown the flag for this brand of melodic Metal, and now German outfit RETERNITY add the fine noise to the mix.

Formed in 2018 and already with one LP under heir belt, “A Test Of Shadows” adds to the list of class sets produced this otherwise shitty year.  An album of speed and melody, of simplicity and bombast, of economy with no song over staying its welcome, no fuss, just great Metal.

From the proto-Thrash of “Snipers Death” we know we are in for a wild ride!  Riffs and solos a-plenty and Stefan’s expressive, yet restrained vocals set the tone for the album.

“This Is The End” (technically this is not the end, it’s song 3!), is bags of pacey melody and a mix of scuzzy and flashy fretwork. A song out of the HELOWEEN mold. Then don’t be fooled by the restrained beginning of “My Crush”, it’s a banger! Title track “A Test Of Shadows” changes the pace a little, without diminishing the intensity, a fine example of melodic metal plaid at its best.

I really like “A Grave Called Home”, almost a ballad, certainly a slower paced intense song, the sort of thing LUKE APPLETON (ABSOLVA) does so well acoustically, and RETERNITY do equally as fine amped up. Some excellent twin guitar work, and the vocals speak to me. My best song on the album.

“(We Were) The Gods” immediately picks up the pace, but manages to have quite a light touch and a bit of swagger too.  An interesting song. Whereas “Falling Shadows” is more “traditional” in its feel and structure. Emerging from the shadows “You’ll See The Sun”.  This one has quite a different feel to it.  I like it because it is a little different.  Hard to explain exactly why, but the vocal layers, and the drumming in particular stand out, but so does the growling rumble of the guitars and bass.

However “No Deeper Hole” gets the neck snapping again for one final short sharp time! Before the breaks are thrown on for the piano and vocal restrained but deep finale of “Stranded”.  We’ve heard this type of thing before, but it still make for a suitable end to the whole affair. I can imagine the red velvet curtain slowly closing as the lights go out as the last few plaintive notes fade away.

This really works for me, the whole package is faultless.  This will be getting heavy rotation in the car for a long time to come.

Songwriting: 10
Originality: 10
Memorability: 10
Production: 10