Eldkling – The End of Eternity (2023)

The Norwegian duo’s debut album came as a 10-track firepower

By Luiz Athayde

Here is Norway surprising again with musical spheres beyond alternative music, and also black metal. Eldkling is the newest band, or rather duo to debut in the class of 2023 with an album, The End of Eternity.

Although it is a new act, the creative minds, Magne Langsholt (drums and other instruments) and Morten Nicolaysen (vocals, guitar and other instruments), come from old formations, as we reported earlier:

“We formed a band called Ravenlord around 2000, but that band broke up a few years later,” Magne tells us. “We talked for many years about re-recording some of the old songs and recording some new ones.”

Duly back in business, the duo also found themselves having to rebrand their project. “We had to change our name, though, because some other band used it and released albums. So we decided to go with Eldkling.”

Also in conversation with the drummer, he revealed the meaning of the new nickname: “Eldkling is a cross between Old Norse and Swedish. Eld means fire and Kling means sword. So it literally translates as Firesword. But it was actually a misspelling of the Norwegian word elskling, which is what I call my wife/girlfriend. Elskling means darling.”

Leading up to the release of the debut album, a few singles took the digital platforms, giving us a taste of what was to come. But still, The End of Eternity presents good surprises. Set up in the classic 10-track format, they best condense the range of influences that have shaped what they’ve done so far.

“End of Eternity” opens like a foot in the door by connecting with the requisite Gamma Ray and Judas Priest. Yes, the album is grounded in beyond melodic power metal, but under certain reins of traditional heavy metal. A better start, impossible.

“Revolution” shows an even heavier side of the Norwegians, with a more cadenced bias. However, even though extremely melodic, “Ravenlord” brings some nuances reminiscent of thrash metal.

“Gates to Hell” goes to a more epic way, also endorsed by Morten Nicolaysen’s warlike tone of voice. The solo is another highlight, making a big difference in the listening experience.

In “Forged in Agony”, the medieval atmosphere is more present than ever. Or, a sort of distant echo of Heavens Gate in its most melodious mode. “Restless Souls” is the ballad moment of the album, while “Night of the Dead” summons the listener to sing along.

If before thrash was just a sign, on “Unspoken” it is more than a reality. The track also flirts fiercely with prog and features Ene on raspy vocals. By far this is one of the album’s key points.

And speaking of progressive, “Find Your Way” fearlessly dives into this fertile and creative terrain. The ambiences and the abrupt cuts to another genre are updated in an extremely dynamic way, preventing the listener from yawning. In fact, it is the highlight of the record: virtuosity in the right measure – if in art there is measurement -, weight and a spectacular melodic power. It is the kind of music that will urge you to listen to it again and again. Nothing less than fantastic.

The end was assertively left to “Lost Souls”. In other words, power metal in its raw state. Like “Restless…“, this one is also inspired and battles. “But not in a good way”, emphasizes the Østfold duo.

They continue, “We are not like black metal bands that think war is a good thing, we are totally against that. I’m not sure if there is a connection, but every European last year came close to feeling what war is like close to home.” Let the war in Ukraine, so far with no effective demonstration that it will end, tell you.

All in all, The End of Eternity is the perfect album for those who wish to enter the space-time of honesty and inspiration. Forget (as we always recommend here) about inventing the wheel; this is power metal made by those who love the style for those who are fans of double pedals, intricate passages, and much, much melody.

Listen to the full album below: