REVIEW: Black Cloud Harbour - The Eternal Abyss


Black Cloud Harbour, the solo project from Adam C. Taylor (also of acclaimed Hertfordshire post-sludge fourpiece Everest Queen), launched earlier this year with the release of Corrosion back in October 2023. Mixing punk, hardcore, and black metal in its core sound, Storm built upon the first single a month later, with strong, uplifting melodic undercurrents. As Taylor explains, 'this project will morph and evolve as I go on'. Black Cloud Harbour's genre-twisting places it at the forefront of the modern metal soundscape, and it seems by all accounts that there are still a few surprises awaiting us.

Tomorrow will see the release of The Eternal Abyss, the third Black Cloud Harbour single in as many months. It kicks off with a driving hardcore beat and a simple but effective sludgy riff to get the adrenaline flowing early on. He uses a solid, gravelly scream over the top, though as the song progresses into more melodic waters, a tuneful guitar bridge really elevates The Eternal Abyss, and there's a catchy chorus hook that you find yourself singing along to by the end. The track builds tension midway through, releasing wonderfully into a Kvelertak-inspired blackened bridge, particularly reminiscent of them when the guitar harmonies come in.

This song is full of energy and power, with hooks and melody to keep you coming back. The inception of Black Cloud Harbour has already set a high standard and the future looks exciting! Yet, without a doubt, there's a stark emotional undercurrent to Taylor's work here (and on his recent singles) that will surely connect to many a listener as Black Cloud Harbour grows.

FFO Cave In, Kvelertak, Converge

Black Cloud Harbour Facebook | Instagram | Spotify | TikTok

MN

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