ETERNAL - Cryptic Lust LP (Blue/White/Black Merge Vinyl)

Eternal’s Death and Obituary influence are definitely still here, but with more noticeable influences from Morbid Angel as well. In fact, this album feels like every death metal album from 1987 to 1991 thrown into a blender and made into a delicious smoothie. The drumming and vocals are probably the biggest difference from this record and last years “Faceless Evil” ep. More blast beats, more double bass, more speed and overall dynamics in the song writing. Emilio’s voice sounds truly sinister and straight from the underworld in this record. It’s like the difference between Chris Barnes on Cannibal Corpses first demo and his voice on Eaten Back to Life (except Emilio is ten times better than Chris Barnes).

There’s not really a single “skip” on this album. It’s great front to back, zero filler, all balls to the wall evil death metal. Foreboding harmonies, atmospheric passages, fast pummeling blast riffs and uhh sexual moaning? A bit random, but that perfectly encapsulated how I felt listening to this beast for the first time. This record is pure ecstasy for any true death metal fan, and it’s a fucking crime that this band goes relatively unnoticed while dogshit like Peeling Flesh and Infectious Jelqing/Arseny are taking the spotlight due to meme culture. With this album, Eternal are the underdogs among the wealth of watered down bands coming out now in this so called scene. None the less, I hope they never stop soon.