The Eternal formed in Melbourne, Australia in mid-2003. Later that year, they signed a two-album deal with Firebox Records of Finland on the strength of a self-titled promotional EP. Their debut album for Firebox 'The Sombre Light of Isolation' was released worldwide in June 2004, and received glowing reviews in both mainstream and underground media around the globe. Darren White (ex-Anathema/The Blood Divine) also contributed guest vocals on the track ‘Remembrance Scars’.
‘The Sombre Light of Isolation’ was voted 5th best Australian release of 2005 by listeners to Australian national radio Triple J's Full Metal Racket, and nominated as 2nd best Australian album of 2005 by the show's presenter. The band was also named in Kerrang! magazine's '50 Bands You Need To Know Right Now'. The Eternal completed two videos for the album, the classic ‘Down’ and beautiful ‘Crimson Sacrifice’.
In support of this album, The Eternal toured Australia, Hong Kong, continental Europe, UK and Finland in late 2004, and upon return immediately set about writing material for their second album ‘Sleep of Reason’.
Recorded early in 2005, ‘Sleep of Reason’ extends The Eternal's sound from their debut work. Songs vary in feel from the emotive melodic rock of 'Everlasting and 'A Dream's End' to the stifling drag of 'Beneath the Soil' and 'Weight of Empathy’. ‘Sleep Of Reason’ clearly demonstrated the whole band's ability to make strong musical statements filled with both emotion and atmosphere. It was produced and recorded by Endel Rivers at Palm Studios in Melbourne, and mastered by Mika Jussila (Amorphis, Nightwish, Therion) at Finnvox Studios in Helsinki. The album's decidedly Stygian sleeve-art was created by Travis Smith (Opeth, Katatonia, Anathema) based on the etching 'El sueño de la razon produce monstruos' by Francisco de Goya. Videos for ‘Everlasting’, ‘A Soul Undone’ and ‘Hollow Inside’ followed the release of the album.
2006 saw the The Eternal landing the Australian national support slot for Finnish rockers HIM, which coincided with the Australian release of ‘Sleep of Reason’. These successful shows were shortly followed by six shows supporting Swedish death/prog masters Opeth on their ‘Ghost Reveries’ Australian tour. The Eternal delivered performances which won them many new fans and much recognition in their home country. 2006 also saw guitarist/vocalist Mark Kelson receiving endorsements from ESP guitars and Dean Markley strings.
After touring Australia extensively for the release of ‘Sleep of Reason’ and playing to well over 15,000 people in their home country, the band set off for their second tour of Europe in May 2007. The tour saw the band return to Portugal, Germany, Hungary, Belgium and the Netherlands to the warm welcome of fans old and new. On their return home, the band went about completing and compiling three years worth of demo material for what would soon become ‘Kartika’.
The Eternal’s latest album ‘Kartika,’ may be seen as the bands most diverse and ambitious album to date. With lush vocal harmonies and carefully detailed arrangements, ‘Kartika’ takes the listener through varied soundscapes, from the emotive ‘Brighter Day’ and ‘Walk Beside You’ to the eastern influenced epic ‘Blood’. Catchy, melodic, dark and beautiful, The Eternal have not sat safely behind the sound created on their previous albums, and inturn have managed to push forward and break new ground. Guests on the album include Duncan Patterson (ex-Anathema, Antimatter and Íon) on Mandolin, Nicholas Albanis (Dandelion Wine) on Hammered Dulcimer and the amazing voice of Russian songstress Emily A. Saaen to name a few.
’Kartika’ was produced between December 2007 and May 2008 , recorded at several studios in Australia including Mixmasters Studios, Adelaide and Palm Studios in Melbourne. It was mixed in Tallinn, Estonia by Endel Rivers at Palm Studios II and mastered at the renowned Crystal Mastering, Melbourne, Australia by John Ruberto.
January 2009 saw the departure of co-founding member Chris Stevenson for personal reasons. Chris stated 'The Eternal was basically my life for a good 5 years and I loved every single moment of it! It was also an extremely gruelling experience, which at times took its toll on me on a personal level'. The band will continue on as a 3 piece and at this point have no intention to find a replacement.
The Eternal completed an extensive world tour in June 2009. The tour took the band through Australia, Japan, Europe, America & Mexico. The Eternal have now commenced work on their yet to be titled 4th album which will be recorded in December 2009.
