Façade are a doom band from the Netherlands and this is their second album.
This is the follow up to 2017’s Loathe, featuring 54 minutes of new material. These songs are generally longer and even more rich in substance and delivery than those of the debut, which is no mean feat. It sounds as if a lot of work has gone into The Eternal Dance.
Moody and dark, yet also luscious and vibrant, The Eternal Dance is a multifaceted exploration of life and death, of the interconnectivity of all things, and of the cycles of existence. It’s a mix of doom and progressive/post-metal/rock, topped with harsh death growls and piercing screams.
The band’s three guitarists are all used well to craft a rich, luxuriant cloak of darkness that’s thick with depth and weight in a variety of ways. This darkness is pierced with rays of light, however, as the album is flush with melodies that seem to stick to you quite quickly and won’t let go. Progressive and psychedelic elements enrich the music, and Façade’s newly found love of long-form compositions demonstrates a band that are increasingly comfortable in their own skin.
This is an emotive and engaging journey, and the band are to be commended for their songwriting skill and approach to doom that’s distinctly non-standard and quite engrossing. Each song has its own voice and personality, and taken as a whole, the entire album is very strong.
Intelligent and immersive, this is a sterling release. Façade have lived up to the ample promise displayed on their first album, and The Eternal Dance is a force to be reckoned with.
Very highly recommended.