Hailing from Topeka, Kansas Tundra first formed in 2019. By 2020 they had self released an album and an EP and even at this early stage of their career they knew that they wanted to push the envelope of extreme music. They didn’t want to just blindly follow in the footsteps of their heroes, but rather take all those influences and inspirations and add something new, something that came from nowhere but their own hearts and creative spirit. Just four years later, after a number of standalone singles and an array of hard hitting live shows, Tundra’s fiercely independent sound had caught the ear of Rottweiler Records and a deal was signed. Now, as a new year dawns, Tundra are ready to unveil their first full release for their new label…an album that fulfils all their early promise, that stands proudly alone, that explores everything that deathcore and metalcore have to offer…and then pushes a bit further. Eternal has arrived!
Right from its beginning it is clear that Eternal is ‘not like the others’. This is not an album that sits quietly and comfortably within the genre constraints assigned to it. The plaintive, aching first track, ‘Alone’ is a fragile introduction, but a huge power can be sensed building in the shadows behind its simple, heartfelt melody line. And that power is unleashed in full when first single, ‘Welcome To Hell’, bursts its chains. The explosion of sound is soul shaking and the following journey through nightscapes and shadows transfixes with its intensity, diversity and ability to fire the emotions and imagination. Every song feels fresh and new, overflowing with ideas and possessed of an ability to lead the enraptured listener down previously unknown paths. No matter how heavy the likes of ‘The Pit’, ‘The Witch’ or ‘Undead’ become – and they become skull crushing in their heft and weight – they are never one dimensional; the blackness of the oppressive skies which roil above them are always studded with stars, moments of magic. When the soothing balm of ‘You Are’ finally draws you out of the darkness, a hand that pulls you from the floor of the pit, there is a sense of accomplishment, of trials overcome and dangers confronted. Eternal is one of the most affecting and enthralling deathcore or metalcore albums you will uncover this year.
The door to Tundra’s dark kingdom will be unlocked by Rottweiler Records on April 4th and the treasures of Eternal will available for the intrepid listener to discover. In the ever more crowded field of extreme music, Tundra have managed to light a fire of blazing individuality and creativity. Follow its light through the oncoming darkness…
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