The country of Poland is not exactly a metal music hotbed despite being sandwiched between Germany and Russia, two countries with bigger reputations for such music. Poland’s most significant contribution to date would be Graveland, who has pretty sketchy affiliations.  With that history, it can be forgiven if one thinks of Eternal Deformity in a similar manner. However, the quintet plays a doom/avant-garde style of metal that has no political messages in any of their songs. The Beauty of Chaos is their latest album, and while it isn’t bad, it also doesn’t stand out too much.

Through the first listen of the album, it appears that Eternal Deformity is all over the place, with roots firmly planted in the symphonic style of black/doom metal. “Thy Kingdom Gone” begins with sounds that are characteristic of the symphonic black metal sub-genre, complete with vocals that alternate between traditional black metal and clean, progressive. However, as the song progresses, it turns into more of a heavy metal sound complete with a guitar solo that would put most of today’s bands to shame. If that description confuses you, then there is more where that came from, as Eternal Deformity does a lot with their sound, yet only half of it truly makes sense after a few listens. Throughout The Beauty of Chaos, there is a growing sense that Eternal Deformity is aiming more for a progressive style of Gothic metal. However, it will take a while before the listener can be able to accurately ‘get’ everything that is going on, and even by doom/avant-garde standards that may be testing the listener’s patience. While the music and vocals are certainly there, it just seems that the entire album is one disjointed mess.

Eternal Deformity has the musical talent to succeed and the mind to create some interesting compositions. However, as evidenced on The Beauty of Chaos, they have a long way to go when it comes to putting all of it together to make it coherent.  If you can cut through the “chaos” within the album, then you are a better listener than me.

TRACK LISTING

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*Comments:

1.  Intro
2.  Thy Kingdom Gone
3.  Lifeless
4.  Pestilence Claims No Higher Purpose
5.  Caught Out Lying
6.  The Beauty of the Ultimate End
7.  The Sun
8.  The Holy Decay

Total playing time:  48:17

Release Date: April 30, 2012
Label: Code666 Records

Eternal Deformity - The Beauty of Chaos

Reviewer: Peter

May 17, 2012