Ethereal Realm - Enter The Realm (EP Review)

Enter the gates of the realm of the 5 piece Sydney band, Ethereal Realm, and be prepared for the power. They brought out their EP called “Enter The Realm” in May ’22 “as a stepping stone onto bigger and brighter things”.

When listening to the album you can hear they draw on influences from a saccharine blend of power metal, traditional heavy metal, and NWOBHM, and occasionally invoke thoughts of other bands in different genres. The album was recorded at Studio 57 with the enigmatic Marc Scully at the helm.

Formed in 2019, they have had some changes to the bass player but have solidified their lineup now with Rob Retalic (drums), Leon Synth (lead guitar), Jim McGrath (rhythm guitar), TNT (vocals), and Sam Margaritis (bass).

TNT lead the design for the design of the art cover after having designed the skull and smoke which formed the band logo. They had decided to bring out an EP to act as an introduction to who they are and to allow the bank account to recharge the bank accounts again. While in rehearsal, Rob suggested the EP’s name is now as it was fitting with the concept of being like a handshake before the real conversation and name of the band. TNT then set to work with the album art. From a “black and white medieval dungeon (as metal dates back to the late 70s & early 80s)” you enter the spacey-colored realm of this power metal band with their logo shining “brightly as a celestial body”. Their band font alone is epicly done with the juxtaposition of color and their spacey style lettering.

The EP opens up with “Reign of the crown”. Easing us into it we have an acoustic intro before the lead guitar starts to talk to us with distorted charm. TNT then kicks in with some growling vocals before showcasing some really smooth vocals. The vocal melody here is a winner. It follows a cadence that is not heard often and works really well. Perhaps TNT’s growls carry the intensity and passion that drives the lyrics through you and his vocal style is unique, but the vocal quality could be more defined and shaped.

“Watch us bleed” has a fast-paced and Iron Maiden-style rhythm. It’s quick and somewhat thrashy with an upbeat feeling to it. The lead guitar dances around in the background with some really interesting moves while the vocals and rhythm guitar guard the front of the song. Ideally, the album would allow the lead guitar to shine more as it is not stealing the show by playing a dominating solo but rather enhancing the vibe of the song.

Lyrically the draw-on range of emotions stemming from mythology, fantasy, and tales of war will get you fired up.

In “Time machine” we have an intro tone that takes you to the raw edge of metal. It’s unadulterated and unpolished, and real. That’s power in metal. What is unique to this song is that it took a few listens for me to understand though. Somehow it doesn’t seem to follow as straightforward as there are dissonances within the track that I needed to work my head around. Once that was done then the track fell into place. It was a psychedelic listening moment. More unison in instruments could be adjusted better.

“Nightmare” is probably the most well-composed of the songs. It’s a song that could easily have fit in the time of the exciting ’80s rock scene when rockers with gravity-defying hairstyles and patchwork jean vests were finding their way in a new and adventurous era of rock that was defined by what you heard on cassette tapes. This is the song that the band will be enjoying performing as the crowd shout back at them in unison in the rock stadium “Nightmare”! The end of the song was a quirky little end as it leaves the listener to finish the song off.

Being only four songs they ensured there is a mix of everything with different metal styles, whipping solos, and interesting guitar tones, and allowed all the instruments to get a chance to shine. It shows they want to make an album that will stand up and live forever. Aside from comments on the volumes of the instruments, it has the intensity and emotion that you want from an album.

They are said to have more songs in the making pipeline. These guys are passionate about their music and want to make it as exciting to make as it is to hear. With that, they will work on their craft and hopefully be getting into Studio 57 when possible. Keep a watchful eye on their socials for news or you’ll be in a nightmare.