Release Date September 25th, 2026
Format Digital
Genre Symphonic Black/Death Metal
Origin USA
Forsaken Eternity is a Portland, Oregon band formed around multi-instrumentalist Vladislav Gayko and vocalist and lyricist Nathan Mote. Their debut album, “A Kingdom Of Ice”, introduced a blend of melodic death metal, black metal aggression and symphonic arrangements, establishing the musical direction continued on “Shades Of Existence”. Released through Rottweiler Records, the four-track EP follow-up features Pierce Williams on drums and Brian Rush on keyboards, with Gayko responsible for all the music and Mote writing the lyrics. The combination of technical guitar work, orchestral keyboards and extreme vocals places the band within a style that draws heavily on the grander side of melodic extreme metal.
“Shades Of Existence” in half an hour is packing elaborate guitar leads, rapid drumming and sweeping keyboard arrangements into four extended tracks. “Adrift In A Twisted Ethereal” opens with a rush of technical riffing and symphonic layers, while “Whispers From The Moon” puts the guitar and keyboard interplay at the heart of its melodic approach. “Celestial Witch” develops a darker atmosphere through dramatic lead work and imposing arrangements before the title track brings the album to its conclusion. The production gives the individual instruments enough separation to follow the arrangements, although the keyboards sometimes push the music towards an overly theatrical sound, reducing the impact of the death metal elements.
The vocals provide a grim counterpoint to the grand melodies, while the lyrics contribute to the album’s otherworldly themes. The songwriting contains strong melodic ideas, but the constant emphasis on grandeur and technical display occasionally makes the compositions feel overworked. “Shades Of Existence” offers an ambitious take on symphonic extreme metal, with its musical intricacy and dramatic arrangements appealing to listeners who prefer melody and orchestration alongside aggression. Its tendency towards excess prevents the material from reaching its full potential.
|7.5
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