Interview: The Eternal vocalist, guitarist Mark Kelson

By Neil Shumate, OOTB Publications

Melodic prog metal band The Eternal is preparing to release their eighth album since forming in 2003: Obscured Horizons (Reigning Phoenix Music) on Sept. 18.

Hailing from Melbourne, Australia, founding member, lead vocalist and guitarist Mark Kelson took time for this OOTB Interview to discuss their approach on the upcoming full-length album, his new album song favorites, music guilty pleasures, origins of his interest in music, next plans for the band and more

Congrats on the upcoming release of Obscured Horizons! With this being your eighth release, how did you approach this record similarly or differently than your previous releases, and why so?

Thank you!

We are really excited about the new album, I would say this is the band’s most collaborative album in our history, the current line-up of myself (Mark Kelson), Richie Poate, Niclas Etelävuori and Jan Rechberger have been solid for around six years now, and we all contribute to the song writing.

For many years I was the primary songwriter and I think our new approach has really added a great deal of dimension to our sound, we we started the process of Obscured Horizons it was great to see all band members shooting around demos, and it was exciting for me to see how I could put them through the lease of The Eternal, being that I sing on everything. It was such a productive writing session we also got the Celestial EP out of it.

I think Obscured Horizons really marks a step forward for us, and really refines the direct we started with on Skinwalkerand since refined on the Celestial EP earlier in the year.

What are your two favorite tracks on this particular album and why those songs?

That’s a hard one. I think this is really diverse, offering for us and with all four members writing I enjoy different songs for a variety of reasons.

I think “Lament For the Hollow” is a really strong opening statement, we decided no intros or anything on this album and ‘Lament,’ with its heavy prog and cinematic opening, really paints a great picture of the rest of the album.

I am really proud how “I’ve Seen The Dream” turned out; a different side to us and the mix came together really easily on that one.

I think “Harmony Breaks” was based on a demo Jan presented. It’s one of the more uptempo and energetic pieces we have done, and melodically brings some new flavours, and if you want dark heavy froggy stuff, “Liminality” brings it—I know that’s four, but I like the album!

What is a band or artist that might be a guilty pleasure of yours that fans of The Eternal might be surprised you enjoy?

We have such a broad pallet of tastes between us and we are all music producers, so from that perspective, we find music in general very fascinating and can enjoy music of all styles.

I have been enjoying the resurgence of Michal Jackson’s music, for example, and from a production perspective, I’m just reminded how amazing the collaboration between Quincy Jones and Micheal really was.

I’ve really had a soft spot for Evergrey lately, but that’s not so left of Filed, considering our musical style is not so far off!

We love a bunch of 70’s stuff from Rainbow and Yes, through to 90’s doom, all the way to modern stuff like Leprous, etc.

When was it and how did you first become interested in music? Was it an album, a song, a live show, etc.?

When I was about 12 or 13, my mum remarried to a fellow that was in a metal band here in Melbourne, and I was immediately fascinated.

I started playing his guitar and listening to his record collection; I think I got exposed to a lot more underground metal than most 12-year-olds.

I started with Megadeth, Metallica and Slayer in his collection, but quickly found Mercyful Fate, Candlemass and Venom, etc., so that was it for me—I’ve been playing and writing ever since!

What are your plans and goals for this album cycle?

We hit the road in Australia with Amorphis next month, which is always a great show for us; we toured with them back on their Circle Tour in 2014. I believe. We are planning some shows in Europe next year and hopefully some festivals are in that mix.

We plan to keep writing and recording and we are starting some demos for the next album, so no slowing down here!

We can’t wait to bring you Obscured Horizons live.

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

Thanks for the interview and thanks to your readers for checking us out. We hope you enjoy Obscured Horizons and we look forward to seeing you on the road soon!

Cheers!

Watch “Colours Fade”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezWhsK0mZUQ

Pre-Order Album

https://theeternal.rpm.link/horizons

Obscured Horizons Tracklist:

1. Lament For The Hollow

2. Existing To Expire

3. Colours Fade

4. Harmony Breaks

5. I've Seen The Dream

6. Liminality