Metalcatto
There’s something that many of you feel about German Black Metal. I’m not exactly sure what it is, but maybe it’s similar to what I feel about German Post/Black Metal. Yes, that’s a pretentious distinction to make, but hey — I’ve spent most of my reviewer life putting names to things, so you’ll have to put up with it for a bit. Pest is one of those classic Black Metal bands that, with Eternal Nightmares, promises consistency above all else. But the real question is: will this be fun, or just work? Let’s find out.
And yes, consistency is exactly what we get, because Eternal Nightmares sounds like a straight homage to 90s Norwegian Black Metal. The album is packed with long, dim, and hypnotic riffs that loop again and again until you lose your sense of time and maybe even start hating yourself a little more. That’s exactly what music like this is supposed to do. Expect extended tracks with minimal breathing room in between and an atmosphere that feels like being stuck in a rainy, cold day with no change in sight. It’s not depressive in the Doom Metal sense, but it leaves you wandering and lost.
The production plays a big role here. It’s rancid, but not “true kvlt” rancid. There’s still a certain level of quality, which makes me think it was all deliberate — designed to make the album feel crispy, like fried chicken wings. Except these wings have been left out too long and gone moldy, and that’s exactly the kind of sick, rotting energy the riffs give off. Dungeon dwellers will love it. But if you’re almost a normal person — the kind who knows what deodorant is — then maybe this next part is for you.
Pest delivers reliable, traditional Black Metal. Maybe the most fitting word here is “expected.” Eternal Nightmares won’t surprise anyone who has been into the genre for even a few months. On a personal note, my main issue is the track length. It’s not just that they’re long, but that they stick to the same riffs for longer than you held on to a crush who clearly wasn’t into you. I would have loved more changes, even at the risk of sounding less “trve.”
Still, this is exactly the kind of record someone like Ixione would drool over. Eternal Nightmares may play it too safe for many, but for those who find comfort in its relentless sense of repetition, it offers a unique kind of solace — one that can’t be found outside this strange, niche corner of music. It’s the type of record that makes your grandma tell you you’re going to hell every weekend. Don’t complain, though. At least you still have a grandma left.
Label: Heiden Harts
Release date: 17 October 2025
Website: https://truepest.bandcamp.com/
Country: Germany
Score: 3.0/5.0
Metal Eclipse Reviews 