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Draft:Eternal Returns

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Eternal Returns
Background information
OriginThane, Maharashtra, India
GenresMetalcore, deathcore, symphonic black metal
Years active2010–present
LabelsWormholedeath Records, Brutal Records (USA)
MembersNarendra Patel
Harsh Makwana
Shankul Chavan
Viktor Lytvynov
Past membersPawan Sharma
Jefin Johnson

Eternal Returns is an Indian metal band from Thane, Maharashtra. Their sound merges deathcore, symphonic black metal, and metalcore with literary and mythological themes. Active since 2010, the band has released two records and toured Eastern Europe in 2025. Their single "Siege Sombre" was nominated for Best Metal Track at the 2025 Radio City Freedom Awards.[1]

History

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Eternal Returns live in Budapest, March 2025
File:Dawning of Sins Tour Artwork.jpg
Artwork of the 2025 'Dawning of Sins' Tour

Eternal Returns was formed in 2009 in Thane, Maharashtra, by vocalist Narendra Patel, drummer Pawan Sharma, bassist Harsh Makwana, and guitarist Jefin Johnson.[2] The band’s name is derived from a concept in Indian cosmology, reflecting the themes of cyclical time, death, and rebirth that appear throughout their lyrics.[2] In early 2020, Eternal Returns began recording their debut EP, Reprieved to Totality. The COVID-19 lockdown interrupted their studio work after recording one track. The band adapted by learning home recording techniques and completed the EP from individual home studios in Mumbai and Thane.[3] The EP included a guest appearance by Kevin Paradis, drummer of French death metal band Benighted, on the track “Salamander the Sorcerer”.[4] Reprieved to Totality was featured as a full album stream by the American metal monthly Decibel in 2020.

Following the death of their original drummer, Pawan Sharma, during the pandemic, Eternal Returns sought a new collaborator and connected with Ukrainian drummer Viktor Lytvynov via Instagram in 2023. Despite the challenges posed by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Lytvynov recorded drum tracks for the band's album Hunchback Hatred from his home studio in Sumy. Hunchback Hatred was released in December 2023 through the Italian label Wormholedeath Records.[5]

In 2024, Eternal Returns signed with the American label Brutal Records for the release of an upcoming album.[6] The band's 2025 "Dawning of Sins" tour of Eastern Europe included performances in Prague, Budapest, Košice, Ostrava, Hradec Králové, Maribor, and Split.[7][8][9][10]


Musical style and themes

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Eternal Returns’ music incorporates elements of metalcore, deathcore, symphonic black metal, and melodic death metal. According to Rolling Stone India, the band’s early work on Reprieved to Totality features intense compositions with frequent stylistic shifts, including transitions into slower, foreboding passages and layered studio production.[11] The band has drawn thematic inspiration from Indian and Greek mythology.[2]

In 2024, Rolling Stone India described the band’s single “The Wolf Among Sheep” as combining “gnashing extreme metal” with modern groove influences. The accompanying video presents a narrative about a female protagonist responding to harassment, interspersed with footage of the band performing.[12] While Eternal Returns has been described as a death or thrash metal band, Demontronica noted that such classifications may not fully capture the rhythmic and melodic structure present in their recordings.[13]

Discography

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Hunchback Hatred (2023, Wormholedeath Records)

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Tracklist

  1. The Wolf Among Sheep
  2. Ravenous Shores - Whispers of the Quarantine Island
  3. Siege Sombre
  4. Shackle the Savage
  5. The Crusade of the Undismayed
  6. Conjured in the Nomad Land
  7. Broadcast 666
  8. Zrark - the Abyss Eater
  9. Aeon Will Fall

Reprieved to Totality (2021, Independent)

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Tracklist

  1. Dreaded Chains of Obscurity
  2. The Bull of Minos
  3. Misaba
  4. Salamander the Sorcerer
  5. The Rise of Shoukoma

Singles

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  1. Garoul (2014)
  2. Corporate Bastards (2015)
  3. Param Vir Chakra (2015)
  4. Mumbai (2020)
  5. Flesh Robot (2021)
  6. Siege Sombre (2022)
  7. Zrark – The Abyss Eater (2023)
  8. Aeon Will Fall (2023)
  9. Greed (2024)

Critical reception

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Rolling Stone India has placed Eternal Returns alongside other active Indian metal bands such as Alien Sky Cult and Wired Anxiety in its roundup of new releases in the country’s heavy music scene. The article positioned the band within a broader overview of emerging and established subgenres, highlighting the track “The Wolf Among Sheep”.[14]

Hunchback Hatred (2023)

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Metal Zenith scored the album 9 out of 10, emphasizing the band's ability to create their own sound from various styles, including melodic and death metal vocals, death/thrash riffs, and progressive elements. The review mentions the band's exploration of societal issues and self-awareness, stating that "there is nothing 'straightforward' or standard about this band; they dare to explore and experiment".[15]

Metal Has No Borders described the album as a blend of “war torn groove and melodic death metal", rating the album 7.5 out of 10. The reviewer noted the album's blend of melodic death metal, metalcore, thrash, and groove elements, highlighting tracks like "The Wolf Among the Sheep" for its symphonic sound and "Ravenous Shores: Whispers of the Quarantine Island" for its progressive and melodic aspects, drawing comparisons to bands such as Decapitated, In Flames, and Shadows Fall. The review also commended the album's lyrical content, based on historical and mythological themes, including references to the 14th-century quarantine island of Poveglia and the mythological figure Zrark, described as a catastrophic feathered serpent.[16]

Demontronica emphasized the band’s technical and melodic intricacy, asserting that Eternal Returns stood out for their rhythmic depth.[13]

Reprieved to Totality (2021)

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New Noise Magazine described the EP as highly aggressive and a “wrecking ball of pure madness”. The review called the band "well-versed in the art of blackened death", highlighting the vocals’ “undead glory”.[17]

Metalheads Forever Magazine rated the EP 8.2/10. Reviewer Keith Clement called the 5-track album “beautifully engineered” and "short yet perfect".[18]

Rolling Stone India gave the EP ★★★½ and noted that the band's "brutality”. Tracks like “Dreaded Chains of Obscurity” and “The Bull of Minos” were singled out for their intensity, while “The Rise of Shoukoma” was highlighted for its brooding production.[19]

Decibel Magazine described the release as “vital” and “brilliant,” noting the band’s DIY ethos.[4]

References

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  1. ^ "Radio City Freedom Awards (RCFA) 7 Winners". Radio City. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  2. ^ a b c "Metal band Eternal Returns' next single on Indian mythology". The Times of India. 8 March 2023. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  3. ^ Doshi, Riddhi (18 December 2020). "Born in the lockdown: Art, music, a comic book gone virtual". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  4. ^ a b Harris, Jon (11 November 2020). "Full Album Stream: Eternal Returns – 'Reprieved to Totality'". Decibel Magazine. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  5. ^ Das, Mahua (5 October 2023). "Bacteria: Thane-based metal band finds rhythm amidst mayhem of war-torn Ukraine". The Times of India. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  6. ^ Avalon, Luca (2024-12-09). "Eternal Returns: nuovo album con Brutal Records". Heavy Metal Webzine (in Italian). Retrieved 2025-05-05.
  7. ^ "Eternal Returns – European Tour 2025 – Split – Club Eks – Croatia". Concerts-Metal.com. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  8. ^ "Eternal Returns at Hospoda Brouk, Prague – Mar 14, 2025". Bandsintown. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  9. ^ "Mumbai Diary: Wednesday Dossier". Mid-Day. 1 January 2025. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  10. ^ "Mumbai Diary: Tuesday Dossier". Mid-Day. 8 April 2025. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  11. ^ "#ReviewRundown: January 2021". Rolling Stone India. 29 January 2021. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  12. ^ "New Music: Bengaluru's Tanya Shanker, Telugu Pop by Nutana Mohan, Metal from Eternal Returns and More". Rolling Stone India. 16 February 2024. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  13. ^ a b Jayaswal, A. (26 February 2024). "Eternal Returns Brings Intense Metal From India". Demontronica. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  14. ^ Sharma, Anurag Tagat (21 July 2023). "New Music: Moli, Nutana Mohan, Jay Rana x Skopos, Tanya Shanker and More". Rolling Stone India. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  15. ^ Lewis, Kevin (8 March 2024). "Eternal Returns – Hunchback Hatred". Metal Zenith. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  16. ^ "Album Review: War-Torn Groove & Melodic Death Metal Emerges on Hunchback Hatred". Metal Has No Borders. 16 February 2024. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  17. ^ "Album Review: Eternal Returns – Reprieved to Totality". New Noise Magazine. 5 January 2021. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  18. ^ Clement, Keith (27 February 2021). "Eternal Returns – Reprieved To Totality". Metalheads Forever Magazine. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  19. ^ "#ReviewRundown: January 2021". Rolling Stone India. 29 January 2021. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
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