Cult Of Luna - Eternal Kingdom (2008)

Eternal Kingdom, the 5th studio album from Sweden’s Post-Rock heavy weights, is a bizarre concept album based on the diary ‘Tales from the Eternal Kingdom’, kept by Holger Nilsson, a former prisoner, which they discovered in their rehearsal room, a run down mental institute. It’s a crazy cranial expedition into a madman’s fantasy land of Owlmen, Treemen and the Nacken, who he claims responsible for his wife’s death by drowning. Each song on the album represents a section of the diary, slowly telling the story. 

A heavier approach is taken to the album, reverting back to the Salvation days, but still in keeping with the more melodic elements that were common on the previous album, Somewhere Along The Highway. 3 interlude tracks (The Lure, Osterbotten and Ugin) help split up the album, a striking contrast in-between the heavier songs. Only one song breaking the ten minute mark, which is something Cult Of Luna tend to do, means each of the tracks is quick to make a statement, diving straight in with Klas Rydberg’s aggressive vocals placed perfectly within each song. 

Ghost Trail, the 3rd track, sees the song come to an end at 9.20, or so you are lead to believe, the slow fade out is a kind of trick and after a few seconds pause we are presented with a roaring scream and the song continues, a simply riff is played but gradually sped up, faster and faster until a sudden stop. My personal favourite track on the album and a treat live.

This has not disappointed me, and I had high hopes for the album. This band defiantly get better with age and are one to watch out for. The next release (early 2010) is set to be a book accompanied by a C.D all about the concept behind this album, something which I have no doubt will be a fantastic experience. 

Matthew Wright