Founded in 1999 by Anja and Alex Hunzinger, AETERNITAS released their first and very well-received concept album “requiem” in August 2000, which combined a variety of different styles (from classical to metal elements).
The success of this album encouraged Anja and Alexander to build a performing band, to bring their songs to the stage. The second album “La Danse Macabre”, released in 2004, brought together contemporary gothic metal with classical, electronic and theatrical influences. The concept of stage realization was developed for spectators to enjoy a theatrical live show and paved the way for the subsequent development of AETERNITAS and their next work, the concept album “Rappacinis Tochter” (“Rappaccini’s Daughter”). The theme is based around the short story of American author Nathaniel Hawthorne, a contemporary and companion of Edgar Allan Poe. A new era began in 2012, when AETERNITAS started working on their new concept album “House of Usher”. AETERNITAS developed a modern symphonic metal style with complex orchestral arrangements, grooving rock parts and the strong and catchy melodies of their male and female singers. This fourth album was released in 2016 and led to one of the band’s highlights: the support gig for the SCORPIONS in Rüsselsheim 2017 at the Hessentagsarena. AETERNITAS released their fifth studio album "Tales Of The Grotesque" in June 2018 and subsequently toured with these new songs in 2019 and 2020 with the Japanese power metal band JUPITER and the Finish monster act LORDI.
They open their album with a fired up track called Destiny. You hear a typical MORF band with classic meets heavy metal & electro touch. Julia and Alex sound like the perfect musical couple! Next is the very bombastic Fountain of Youth were the symphonic metal touch wins (but mixed with a synth). The song sounds very epic! Henning Basse takes over the male lead vocals on The Unforgivable Sin. I hear some cool grunts, a real symphonic metal feel and hammering drums. The chorus is really catchy! The Birthmar has a strong choir in it, whilst the guitars are rambling. It’s clearly a song filled with pathos. The electronics mix well with the symphonic metal and the vocals. Castles In The Air starts with a martial touch, but once Alex and Julia start to sing the song changes into a typical symphonic metal track, with a positive vibe. A softer start comes with Fallen Innocence. Towards the end it becomes a strong and very catchy ballad. The Ring gets an extra guitar solo by Glen Drover and sounds for the rest really strong and melodic. Another Day is a great symphonic metal track with a cool rambling guitar and additional backing vocals by Henning Basse. More symphonic metal and great guitars comes with The Final Path. I like the melancholic touch! Last track is called My Haunted Mind: a great and fragile piano ballad. It’s a magical end for this album!
Well it’s not bad! The album has some highlights and I heard enough potential! The album is for symphonic metal lovers!
