The Moshville Times - Album Review: Eulogy

There must be something in the water in South Wales now. Mere weeks after neighbours King Kraken dropped their ferocious debut, Cardiff quartet Eulogy follow their lead with Rebirth, their own debut release and it matches the high standards one would expect from a band who reached the finals of the South Wales M2TM 2022 competition.

Formed in 2017, the band have worked tirelessly in South Wales and beyond, patiently biding their time, crafting their song writing and gigging with an energy that bands half their age would struggle to match. The arrival of new drummer Josh Bird and second guitarist Brian Perkins has given the band a further blast and the results in Rebirth are evident from the opening song “Save Us All” through to the clever “Narcissist” that closes the release.

Produced by the band with Tim Vincent and recorded at longwave Studios and Woodcroft Audio in Cardiff, Rebirth contains nine-tracks of heavy riff-based hard rock that contain ample hooks, blended with a distinctive melody and Neil Thomas’ superb vocals that really add an extra dimension to the band’s sound.

Opener “Save Us All” begins with an Iron Maiden style intro, full of atmosphere before a huge riff kicks in, the bar drops and Eulogy open up the power. It’s a comprehensive statement of intent, and an ideal album opener. It’s followed by one of the band’s oldest tracks, “Back to Life”, which has been around for a while but sounds fresh and huge with Bird’s drum sound particularly big. One of the band’s anthems, it’s got a heavier edge without losing any of the melody that you naturally associate with the band.

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“Pain is Mine” follows, the first single from the album and a real monster of a track. I’ve already reviewed it and made the inevitable Metallica comparisons – it is a grower which has slowly developed its own identify on regular plays. One of the heaviest songs on Rebirth, it contains one of the hooks of 2023. You just cannot stop humming it hours later.

One of the things that is most impressive on Rebirth is how some of those older tracks now sound brand new. “Cross to Bare”, one of two songs here which originally appeared on the band’s 2020 Memento Mori EP has been given a new lease of life and again benefits from the quality production.

Eulogy slow it down a little on “Breathe” although they retain the crunching heaviness that is now a feature of their music. It’s wisely placed, allowing time to catch the breath, and appreciate the broader qualities of the band. Williams’ solo for example, hits deep, whilst the engine room maintain the drive throughout. Once more, Thomas’ vocals stand out, full of emotion and a quality that gives the band a real edge. “Corvid” is another well known song, bringing the temperature back up to the boil. Another anthemic track, this was the one that many who can’t read properly confused with a certain worldwide event from three years ago! You can’t educate pork they say.

The final three songs showcase the heavier side of the band once more. “Fading Sun” is driven by a fine riff, almost Alice in Chains in flavour, and brings extra variation to the album. “Laudnum” is possibly the heaviest song on Rebirth, one which I can’t wait to hear live whilst they may have just saved the best to last. “Narcissist” is a soaring track that has a dark and sinister vibe. It’s an excellent, devilish song which finishes an album that has been long anticipated, and which has delivered in every way. The performances, the package and the overall production make Rebirth an album of which Eulogy can be rightly proud. They have an album launch in Cardiff’s Fuel Rock Club on 4^th March, which promises to be an excellent evening. Make it if you can.

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Rebirth is out on February 25th

Check out all the bands we review in 2023 on our Spotify and YouTube playlists!