Telma – 'Eternal': Hard metal with modern elements

The album is a fantastic proof of the transformation metal can undergo when enriched with progressive elements.

Modern Metal based in Larissa

The band is absolutely 'fresh'! Formed in 2021 in Larissa, they're classified as a modern metal band. The love and passion for heavy music is evident. With influences from bands like Pantera, Metallica, Slipknot, Trivium, Alice In Chains, Linkin Park, Disturbed and Godsmack, the record couldn't possibly be soft! The members handle a heavy sound that's a mix of old school vocals, heavy guitars and dynamic bass riffs. All of this is tied together by a distinctive aesthetic on the drums.

Starting with the title and the cover art, we've got a record that's the very definition of simplicity. A rock and music for eternity (aka Eternal). One thing's for sure though… Listening to the album, we never once felt like we were stuck in a swamp (aka telma)! The band weaves its music together beautifully, bringing in plenty of different and varied elements.

As for the style, the term modern metal might confuse some people. Personally, I think it introduces too many restrictive elements for Telma's music. So let's set it aside and talk with a clean slate about what elements we hear on 'Eternal'. I'd like to focus even more, though, by zooming in on some of the band's influences. In the band's sound I find elements that lean heavily towards Pantera, Slipknot and Trivium. I mention mainly these three as the clearest elements. There are quite a few spots with that 'dry' distorted sound reminiscent of Pantera. However, there are parts in the tracks where things get brutal, and other spots where the melodicism hits its peak. We've heard that kind of structure in Slipknot and Trivium. But there are also elements that none of the above bands – influences though they are – have, elements that Telma themselves bring into their own music. Let's take a closer look…

On the music

So, let's move on to the music of 'Eternal', looking at each element separately. First and foremost, the rhythm part. The drums give and take. Constant switch-ups. From very intense metal hits (bordering on death metal) to progressive rhythms, with pauses and hits on the upbeats. This is one of the elements that sets Telma apart from other bands by a wide margin. There are spots where you hear the drums nonstop (both in the background and the foreground) and others where they put on their progressive mask. Combined with the bass, they inflate the sound of 'Eternal', delivering a stick of dynamite of a mix!

Rhythm Section

But let me make this clear. The bass isn't just accompaniment for the drums and rhythm. I don't even need to convince you! Just listen to the title track of the album, 'Eternal'. You'll understand exactly the importance of its role. It carries the whole track, stepping forward and leading it. Overall, the rhythm section is superb and pulls out all the stops, offering the necessary sturdiness that the band's compositions demand.

Guitars

All the stringed instruments sound like they're tuned lower than standard tuning. This makes Telma's sound quite heavy, faithful to the standards set by Slipknot and Trivium. All of this to showcase their exceptionally well-crafted riffs, without skipping the more traditional and beautiful solo attempts either. The feeling left over from the whole album is the band's determination to make their music groove.

Vocals

Finally, moving on to the voice, we have to stress that the frontman's range is very wide. Have you heard the American expression 'one string banjo'?! It refers to people who have only one argument or one style and keep repeating it endlessly. Well, for Telma, you can forget about that! Plain and simple! The singer moves from very melodic and soft vocal lines all the way to growly lead vocals. The switch-ups, even within the same track, are so many that you can't guess what's coming next. To wrap up, the clarity of the voice and diction really brings out the lyrics in a unique way.

On the subject matter

The subject matter of Telma is quite dark. The members' intention was to give voice to the inner conflicts that everyone struggles with, through their songs. The effort touches each of us personally, but also all of us together as a whole. The music is powerful enough for us to identify with it and 'let it all out'. All of us who need to release that Perfect Storm we carry inside us ('Perfect Storm').

Editor's Choice: 'Perfect Storm' and 'Eternal'

Oh yes! You read that right! Trying to single out the track I'd recommend to Fuzzy Hound's readers, I really struggled. At first, I didn't want to single out any track at all, because I genuinely loved the whole album. But I ended up landing on two tracks I want to highlight (Sorry! I can't recommend just one!).

Starting with 'Perfect Storm', the track has something unique about it. The guitars have a very dynamic rhythm, while the chorus reaches Trivium-level heights. The melodicism really sweeps you away. The track breaks away from classic metal norms.

'The Perfect Storm brings our souls to a demise.'

Moving on to 'Eternal', here we have a tremendously dynamic track that leans more towards rock. The intro is a bit 'Middle Eastern'. But the chorus takes the whole track to another level. Not to mention the symmetry it has, closing the same way it opens.

'Even If I'm bent, I will not be broken'

In closing

If I have to highlight one key element of 'Eternal', it's definitely the band's drive to groove. Along the path carved out by Pantera and Slipknot. The band aligns itself with the modern metal genre, which is characterized by a huge American scene and is certainly not something we're used to hearing much of from Greek bands.

But Telma aren't just that. They weave in plenty of elements outside the metal style. Their music is marked by melodicism, and their frontman by a huge range and performances full of emotion (check out "Bipolar Distress" for example). Beyond the groove, their compositions stick in your ear. There's also something of Zakk Wylde in there, which brings it even closer to my own listening tastes! Wrapping up, 'Eternal' is definitely a deafening launch for the band,Eternal' is definitely a deafening launch for the band, which has certainly put them on Fuzzy Hound's radar. We're eagerly looking forward to their future albums, as well as their live shows!