FINAL DOSE – Under The Eternal Shadow

Just the album we needed: fresh, direct, and utterly engaging—much like the band behind it, a project born almost by chance that quickly became a solid presence.

 

Final Dose was formed in London in 2019 as a solo project by Bruno Fusco, initially created purely for charity. The goal was to raise funds for a national organization through record sales. However, after the release of the EP Dark Places in 2021, the project evolved into a full-fledged band, performing live for the first time that November. Their debut album, Void Inside, arrived in 2023 to a positive reception, enabling them to tour the United States, Europe, and Turkey, sharing stages with acts like Devil Master, Midnight, and Harm’s Way.

 

The confirmation they needed came with the sophomore effort Under the Eternal Shadow, one of this year’s most compelling releases. While their debut showcased a simple, immediate mix of black metal and punk—the band’s signature style—this new chapter expands their sound with hints of dungeon synth and folk, flowing through a tracklist that alternates between intense, high-octane passages and more open, airy moments, all wrapped in a unique atmosphere.

 

The opening track, Eternal Winter, is a perfect introduction, with five seconds of synth setting the stage before the song erupts into blast beats and classic black metal rhythms, occasionally flirting with thrashy undertones. Weathered Axe and Rite of Spring continue in this vein, while Dark Paradise slows down into darker, moodier territory reminiscent of Marduk’s Those of the Unlight. Tracks like Wretched and Revenge feature slowed tempos where Darkthrone‘s influence is apparent, particularly in the long, acidic screams layered over the more deliberate pacing. The interludes—Servant, Funeral March, and Drag the Light Down—stand out despite their brevity. Far from simple filler, they deliver fresh moments where raw aggression gives way to a darker, desolate atmosphere, enriched with mournful clean chords and deeply emotional, melodic passages.

 

Under the Eternal Shadow is a captivating album that perfectly conveys its lyrical concept: the pain and sadness of mental decline, the misery of a decaying society. This layer of melancholy elevates Final Dose’s artistry, firmly establishing them as a band with a recognizable and solid identity.