Eternal Sleep has crafted something intriguing with their latest album, blending 90s grunge rock with more modern hardcore elements, and for the most part, it works. The band's use of atmospheric, church-like, dreamy guitar tones combined with their vocalist’s Layne Staley-esque delivery often feels like a transportive experience, as if you’ve been dropped straight into the 90s grunge scene. This unique fusion of genres makes for an engaging listening experience, effortlessly transitioning between groovy rock riffs and heavier hardcore elements, like two-stepping rhythms and crushing breakdowns. In this mix, the band seems to have found their groove, balancing the two worlds with impressive precision.

The standout feature of this album is undeniably the vocals. The singer navigates through a broad emotional range, shifting seamlessly from the smooth, introspective style of 90s rock to the raw, abrasive intensity of hardcore—often reminiscent of the harsh delivery of bands like Harm’s Way. What’s especially striking is how clear and distinct the vocals are throughout the album, which adds depth and emotional weight to the tracks. There’s a real clarity to the delivery that allows the listener to appreciate every word, whether it’s the subtle melancholy or the visceral aggression.

Guitar-wise, the playing is solid, with the band's ability to weave between clean, melodic sections and heavier, dissonant moments that complement the overall vibe. The bass, though generally effective, could be more prominent in the mix when it does appear, but the rhythm section overall does its job without too much flair. The drums, on the other hand, are a highlight—particularly when the cymbals come into play. The patterns are creative, and there’s a certain infectious energy in the drumming that adds a sense of urgency to the heavier moments. That said, the kick drum could stand to be a little more pronounced at times, as it occasionally feels a bit lost in the shuffle.

The production on this album is where things get a bit misleading. The interludes and transitions in particular led me to expect something more brooding and melancholic, in line with the typical doom-and-gloom vibes often associated with grunge or hardcore. However, while there are darker moments, the overall tone of the album is more dynamic and less singularly depressive than I had anticipated.

Song structures are straightforward and well executed, with each track carrying enough punch to hold attention without ever overstaying its welcome. However, despite being consistently solid, none of the songs really "wowed" me. They're good, well-crafted tunes, but there’s a lack of that extra spark or originality that might elevate them from solid to unforgettable.

Overall, Eternal Sleep delivers a solid album that showcases their ability to merge distinct genres in a compelling way. It’s a fun, cohesive listen that will likely appeal to fans of both 90s grunge and modern hardcore, but it stops just shy of being a truly groundbreaking release.