SONS OF ETERNITY

SONS OF ETERNITY     “Human Beast”

By Dr. Abner Mality

Some albums you listen to and can barely remember anything about them. So it is with “Human Beast”, courtesy of Germany’s SONS OF ETERNITY. It’s tough to review because not much of an impression is made…and that in itself is a kind of impression.

To describe the SOE style, it is pure melodic heavy metal that is not particularly “old school” but not all that “modern”, either. It seems rooted in bands like TNT and BONFIRE. The music is not badly played at all and the guitar solos are quite good, but there is no real identity. Nothing stands out about songs like “Sons of Eternity” or “When Fantasy Dies”, as they fall into a very familiar pattern. One thing that does stand out is the incredibly loud and clear production…I don’t think I’ve heard a more booming mix all year.

Matthias Schenk has the kind of voice heard on many a Euro metal album.  Hate to sound like a broken record myself, but it’s just generic, if capable. The song “Tear Down The Walls” is so cookie cutter and cliche, it almost approaches “stand out” levels. Talk about a back-handed compliment! If there’s one song here that really does arise as a keeper, it’s the closer “Abyss Of Life”, which is a lively tune with snappy riffs and a generally upbeat feeling. A couple more of these and this record would have stayed in my memory a bit more.

Don’t want to be so tough on something that is well played and trying hard, but I can barely remember “Human Beast” even as I listened to it.

MASSACRE RECORDS 

SONS OF ETERNITY