Artist: Eternal Ice
Country: Japan
Label: Self-Released
Formats: Demo Tape
Year: 2025
With six splits and short players in 2025, it is safe to say that this Japanese duo is not lacking enthusiasm and inspiration. Founded in 2024 the band released one demo tape in that same year, but it was 2025 that Eternal Ice really took shape. Not that the band really brings anything new to the Black Metal table or that it was even meant to push existing boundaries, but Eternal Ice clearly revels in intensity and that is something that truly developed over the course of these last couple of months.
‘Demo 2025’, two tracks, one on each side of the limited demo tape, with a total playing time of just over eight minutes, is basically the proof of that statement. Eternal Ice is all about plendidly executed Raw Black Metal that has its inspiration firmly rooted in (European) Raw Black Metal from between, roughly, 1995 and 2003. With surprisingly melodic riffs and well-designed rough edges, it shows that compelling Black Metal doesn’t necessarily need keyboards or sophisticated orchestrations to have a specific atmosphere. In fact, if the riffs are good enough and there’s dynamics aplenty, it is clear that good Black Metal doesn’t really need much more.
In case you’ve heard and liked anything out of the rapidly expanding Eternal Ice discography, you can do yourself a favour and give this short but sweet demo a shot as well. Definitely worth that eight minutes of your life!
