Review: Mortalitas

Mortalitas – Aeternus (EP)

From the mist-shrouded heart of Whitland, Wales, Mortalitas emerge with Aeternus — a stunning three-track EP that redefines what gothic doom can be. Dark, theatrical and richly textured, this record doesn’t just embrace shadow — it turns it into an art form. Combining the oppressive weight of doom with gothic grandeur, industrial edge and moments of ethereal beauty, Aeternus feels less like an EP and more like a ritual — an invocation of both decay and transcendence.

Opening with “Bleed,” the band lure you in with an eerie choral chant that feels almost sacred — until the guitars slice through, shattering the illusion. What follows is a sonic storm of soaring melodies and thundering riffs, all tied together by vocals that balance despair and defiance in equal measure. There’s a modern vibrancy running through the song — an unexpected pulse that keeps it from falling into genre cliché. The layers are intricate, the harmonies rich and the production captures every ounce of haunting atmosphere. As the track winds down, returning to the chant that began it, you realise this is not just doom — it’s a reinvention of it.

Next, “Forevermore” begins in pure gothic elegance — a delicate piano line dances across a fog of distortion, setting a mood that’s as mournful as it is majestic. The arrival of the buzzing guitars and dual vocals takes things to another level entirely. The interplay between clean, operatic tones and guttural undercurrents creates an emotional depth that few bands can achieve. The track ebbs and flows between haunting beauty and metallic fury, building to a crescendo that feels both cinematic and deeply personal. The middle section is particularly breathtaking — technical yet emotional, showcasing a band that understands both restraint and release. As the music drifts into silence, it leaves you with a sense of awe, like waking from a vivid dream you can’t quite shake.

Finally, “Lucy” crashes in with all the subtlety of a thunderclap. It’s a raging, thrash-infused assault, showing a completely different side to Mortalitas — raw, aggressive and full of fire. The riffs hit like hammer blows, the rhythm section is relentless and the dual vocals once again provide a mesmerising contrast between fury and finesse. The middle eight is a highlight — a perfect balancing act between chaos and beauty, evoking the spirit of Jim Morrison at his most untamed. The closing section gathers all that energy and channels it into a final, ferocious explosion that leaves nothing standing.

Across these three tracks, Mortalitas demonstrate that they are far more than a gothic doom act — they’re architects of atmosphere, crafting soundscapes that are dark, dynamic and profoundly human. Aeternus is an EP that doesn’t just speak to the soul — it summons it.

With Aeternus, Mortalitas don’t just walk through the valley of shadows — they build cathedrals in it