MIDNIGHT ETERNAL - Midnight Eternal

May 31, 2016, 7 years ago

(Inner Wound Recordings)

Kelley Simms

Rating: 7.0

review heavy metal midnight eternal

MIDNIGHT ETERNAL - Midnight Eternal

For a U.S.-based band, Midnight Eternal possesses some strong characteristics of a European symphonic metal band on its self-titled debut release. With influences such as Stratovarius, Nightwish and Kamelot, to name a few, the NYC/NJ band weaves a competent blend of styles on its 12 tracks. Led by the vibrant, operatic vocals of Israeli-born Raine Hilai, the band creates soaring melodies, catchy choruses and complimentary symphonic arrangements. Ms. Hilai is definitely the main focal point here, but her operatic wails may be instantly enjoyable to some fans, yet fingernails on a chalk board to others. There’s some fabulous fretwork performed by Richard Fischer, which is one of the stronger points to the band’s sound. 

Opener “’Till The Bitter End” combines symphonic pomp, heavy riffs and intricate rhythms with modern prog elements. On “Repentance,” Ms. Hilai’s vocals cuts like a knife, while guitarist Richard Fischer displays some great shred ability. The epic nine-minute closer, “First Time Thrill,” spotlights Fischer’s talents, as well as the whole band’s, and fades out nicely. With engineering performed by Eric Rachel (Skid Row, Symphony X), mixing and mastering handled by Tommy Hansen (Helloween, Pretty Maids, Jorn) and cover artwork created by Jan Yrlund (Ravenia, Korpiklaani, Delain), Midnight Eternal appears to be in pretty good hands.



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