The Night Eternal - Moonlit Cross

91 days till W:O:A 2023. Still doing the homework.

I had a hell of a time moving on from Sólstafir. As always, when I find something I really like, I binge it into the ground until my brain can’t hear it anymore. But with only 91 days left till Wacken, it was time to get back to work.

Next band on the prep list: The Night Eternal.

Formed in Essen in 2018, The Night Eternal is a relatively new band—but they sound like they’ve time-travelled straight out of the ‘80s. Their debut studio album Moonlit Cross (2021) features 9 tracks, clocks in at around 40 minutes, and is very easy to digest in one sitting. Which is ideal, because I’m still emotionally hungover from Endless Twilight of Codependent Suffering.

Their sound’s been described as a blend of ‘80s heavy metal, classic rock, and dark rock. Personally, I blame most of the “dark” flavour on Ricardo Baum’s vocals, which lean hard into gritty hard rock territory. At times he reminded me of Brad Arnold from 3 Doors Down, which—for the record—I don’t hate. It just occasionally yanks you out of the Maiden-esque twin guitar magic being conjured by lead guitarist Rob Richter and rhythm guitarist Henry Käseberg.

Moonlit Cross is packed with catchy choruses and memorable riffs. It’s hard to dislike an album that keeps your head nodding the whole way through, even if it doesn’t rearrange your soul.

• Elysion (Take Me Over): Opening track and certified earworm. It’s got a sing-along chorus that lodges itself into your brain like a shard of glittery shrapnel.
• Cloaked In Darkness: Instant guitar hook, instant playlist add.
• Son of Sin: Opens like Dio, gallops like Maiden, then abruptly pivots back into Baum’s grittier alt-rock snarl. Jarring, but kinda charming.
• Deadly As A Scythe: Leans heavily into the alt-rock vibes. Not unwelcome, just unexpected.
• Shadow’s Servants—my personal favourite. Rriffy, catchy, stompy. This one delivers the dark rock drama without losing its metallic teeth.

Prison of Flesh gives us a bit of goth vocal flair (make of that what you will), backed by some solid pounding from drummer Aleister Präkelt.

Closeness In Suspension didn’t quite hit for me—the vibe felt slightly off—but the guitar solo in the middle redeems it with a nice little Maiden flourish.

And finally, the title track Moonlit Cross wraps it all up with more soaring guitars and a reminder that yes, Baum can actually sing. He’s got range. And attitude. Even if I still can’t decide which band he secretly belongs in.

This is a good album. It’s tight, melodic, and very listenable. There’s nothing bad on here. It’s just—not haunting me the way some bands do.

That said—if they bring this same energy to the Wacken stage, I’ll happily nod along from the back, drink in hand, appreciating the oldschool flavour and authentic stage presence.

The Night Eternal, you’ve officially been genre-touristed.

See you at W:O:A.