Vancouver's ETERNIOS Summons the Northern Frost with New Single “Requiem of the North”
- Jason Hesley
- 47 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Rising Blackened Symphonic Death Metal force Eternios return with their monumental new single “Requiem of the North,” the title track from their highly anticipated sophomore album due out in late 2026. The single marks the next evolution of the project originally founded by multi‑instrumentalist and composer Colin Ryley (Hyperia, Bayonet Dismemberment), who launched Eternios as a studio‑only creative outlet before expanding it into a full live band.
Following the acclaimed 2025 debut "Mysterium," praised for its fusion of aggressive black metal and sweeping orchestral arrangements, Eternios now sharpen their vision with a colder, more expansive sound rooted deeply in the landscapes that inspired it.
“Requiem of the North” is both a musical and emotional centerpiece for the upcoming album.
“This single and the album in general are my love letter to the northern wilderness of Canada. I’ve spent countless hours roaming the forests and mountains of Western Canada. That cold, melancholic silence you feel surrounded by snow and frost is something I wanted to channel directly into the music,” says Colin.
The track erupts with blast beats, tremolo‑picked harmonies, and sweeping orchestral layers before shifting into a massive, melodic chorus. A neo‑classical C‑section and a soaring dual‑guitar outro push the composition into cinematic territory, blending extreme aggression with haunting beauty.
Colin describes Eternios’ sonic identity in five words: Melodic, Aggressive, Melancholic, Intricate, Fast.
“Requiem of the North” embodies all of these traits while offering a polished and expanded version of the sound established on Mysterium. With the transition toward live performance, vocalist Marlee Ryley (Hyperia) now fronts the band, allowing Colin to focus fully on guitar and orchestrations.
“I’m very proud of how the single turned out. I think it’s a great representation of what’s coming on the full‑length. I hope fans of extreme black metal and extreme melodic metal both find something to connect with,” adds Colin.
The single’s artwork, created by renowned artist Mike Hrubovcak (Visual Darkness), is a chilling preview of the full album’s visual world.
“It’s very winter‑heavy. Icy blues, whites, and music notation swirling out of a polar blizzard. Mike’s work with Imperial Crystalline Entombment is some of my favourite black metal artwork ever, so collaborating with him was incredible,” says Colin.
Eternios remains a deeply personal project at its core. Colin explains further.
“All the songs were written by me, usually locked away for hours piecing together structures and symphonic arrangements until I’m satisfied. The music almost always comes first. The lyrics are shaped by the imagery the music creates.”
While the debut album was entirely written, performed, and produced by Colin Ryley, the new era of Eternios will see more collaboration as the full lineup solidifies. "Requiem for the North," the album, will feature nine original tracks and one cover, delivering a sweeping journey through frostbitten atmospheres, melodic aggression, and symphonic grandeur. The album is expected in Spring 2026, with more singles to follow.
“This album contains all the darkness, harmony, and aggression that define Eternios. The songs have been flowing naturally, and I expect many more albums to come,” adds Colin.
