Ah music…poetically, the definition of how the melody that gives life to the spirit and senses is condensed into a song that unites words and sounds to evoke emotions and express through rhythm and harmony, just as poetry expresses in verse and rhyme all the immensity and depth of the human soul. The fusion of both creates a unique language, where melody can be the “sensitive life of poetry” and the text takes on a new sonic guise…practically like a ritual gaining proportion and power, or like a catharsis massively releasing pent-up emotions, feelings, and tensions, or an escape valve to keep us from madness. This is the perfect definition for FUNERAL WORLD, the new release from Adelaide-based Australian metallers ECHOES IN ETERNITY, released on September 12, 2025.
It was a long two-year hiatus before these guys returned to the scene, following a sad breakup just as they were poised to explode onto the Froth & Fury Festival stage with their monumental debut full-length “Into The Negative“, and just like life’s strange coincidences and a series of personal situations, the reunion between composer and lead guitarist Aidan Cibich (Apophis) and vocalist Lee Gardiner (Double Dragon) brought back to life a sonic monster ready to confront all the negativity and pain these musicians have experienced in recent years. As the band themselves mention, this new album sees the band delve into a darker, more abrasive, and unrelenting sonic territory. Heavily inspired by the chaos of Pantera’s “The Great Southern Trendkill”, along with influences from Carcass and Death, the album abandons its previous mantra of composing positive and uplifting themes, the pain purely channeled and confronted with all the fervor of genius musicians. FUNERAL WORLD is a cathartic soundscape of self-discovery, exploring harsh themes like depression, family illness, and post-addiction survival. Recorded exclusively in Adelaide by Aidan Cibich, the album also features guest appearances by local legends KILLER (Storm The Crown) and PAUL13 on the final two tracks, a heavy nine-track return with striking cover art.
Aidan and Lee aren’t new to my reviews, from the beginnings of Apophis to the very beginnings of Echoes In Eternity, I’ve followed the development of these musicians. It took me a long time to finish this review because I wanted to be absolutely certain of every note on this album, every verse, every lyric, every detail. It was a long-awaited and deserved return.
I begin my listening with “The Ruins As They Lay” an engaging and timeless introduction that opens the album with a mature and firm sound that immediately delivers heavy guitars. But don’t get used to the serenity; this band came to bring the pain to its peak, remember?! In the blink of an eye, you’ll be immersed in a bold solo with an intoxicating atmosphere that will be brutally shattered in “Carnivore Incarnate”. Here, the instrumental builds to a visceral crescendo where Lee completely elevated his vocal capabilities, oscillating between harsh growls and strong choruses. The most delightful thing about this track is that it still plays with tempo changes and brings madness before another absurdly ferocious solo. An insane and forceful start to the album, with clean and precise production, a brave and honest track that’s also meticulous.
We move on to “Desolation” and here Death and Motörhead fans can easily join in the mosh pit, Aidan and Lee have a unique formula for uniting nuances and bringing each element of the track to the forefront in detail, as well as metal nuances without any confrontation. Death/Black Metal lovers will also delight in “Blood of Thy Coven” which simultaneously explores a darker side with passages that remind me of Opeth’s depressive and melancholic progressive metal, a curious and brilliant blend. One of my favorites so far. We now arrive at “Shinigami” and here this melancholy takes on a more aggressive sound, where drums duel with guitars and bass—a tribute to the production quality; each instrument is in its proper place without loss of quality.
Now follow me to “Scarlet Whispers” which brings balance and a breath of fresh air to the album, until we reach “Betrayal Of Flesh” with its horror-movie-worthy soundscape and blackened vocals. I must say, at this point, if all suffering leads to growth then Lee is literally proof of it. His vocals have become as violently insane as they are profuse and intimate when necessary. The guy simply goes from one end of metal vocal lines to the other without fear, the stuff of every producer’s sleep. Added to this are Aidan’s strings, which elevated technique and guitars to a new level on ECHOES IN ETERNITY.
We close the album with “Virtue Of Despair” and the title track, “Funeral World” an explosion of energy in lyrics and impeccable instrumentals. A strong band candidate to be the new face of Metal.
Score: 10/10
TRACK LISTING
1 – The Ruins As They Lay
2 – Carnivore Incarnate
3 – Desolation
4 – Blood Of Thy Coven
5 – Shinigami
6 – Scarlet Whispers
7 – Betrayal Of Flesh
8 – Virtue Of Despair
9 – Funeral World
LINE-UP
Aidan Cibich – Guitar
Lee Gardiner – Vocals
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