Having left his heavy metal band Tribulation in 2020, Jonathan Hultén chose the road less traveled. Retreating into the woodlands armed with acoustic guitars and haunting harmonies, he created The Mountain, his first full-length solo album. A stark contrast from the music of his previous band, that album still bore a different kind of heavy atmosphere, while being infused with an earthy spirituality and grace. The Mountain was a bewitching triumph of 2020, one of the year’s most spellbinding offerings.
We’ve waited nearly five years for Hultén to release a follow-up and with Eyes Of The Living Night he is clearly evolving his sound while still retaining – and perhaps even deepening – his mystique. The sparse arrangements of acoustic guitar strings from The Mountain have largely been replaced by layered textures of keyboards, electric guitar, percussion, and bass. On several songs, it almost feels like a full band has now taken over Hultén’s folksy solo approach. Yet, like on its predecessor, (nearly) all of the instrumentation on the album is still performed by Hultén himself. And despite more elaborate arrangements, the mood and vibe remain consistently and utterly unique.
The opener “The Saga And The Storm” establishes the new, wider-lens approach with a wall of sound matching Hultén’s signature vocals. The first single “Afterlife” follows with an equally thick soundscape of sequenced midi keyboards and percussion, achieving greater success thanks to the ethereal melody that Hultén delivers. We quickly realize that we have now traveled far from The Mountain, through swirls of dust across valleys and plains; the journey continues but through novel terrain.
“Falling Mirages” plays like a haunted lullaby. Like so much of Hultén’s music, it’s a blend of folk, rock, world influences, blues, and music for a horror film score. Later on “Song of Transience” (and even better, his masterful piano instrumental version titled “Through The Fog, Into The Sky”) and “Vast Tapestry” contain a similar atmosphere, the latter pulling in a little cowboy music as well. Although Tim Bowness released an album entitled Abandoned Dancehall Dreams, it seems that Hultén has truly found a way to perfectly illustrate that image through music.

Despite all of the added instruments in many of these new songs, Hultén shines brightest when the layers are stripped back. The evocative “Riverflame” adds a bit of soul to the mix, its simple electric piano vibes, and sparser arrangement allow Hultén to stretch out vocally with perhaps his best performance of the album. An artist with a wide array of talents, let’s not forget that his expressive voice is most treasured among them. “Dawn” is another tender offering, even calling in a wailing harmonica courtesy of Ida Nilsson, which matches the longing in Hultén’s voice.
“Starbather” closes the album yet seems like it would have been a good pick for the lead-off single, benefitting from a full band approach including Esben Willems on the drum kit. Apparently, Hultén chose to go out on a high note, instead of choosing one of the more moody pieces for his farewell.
At 43 minutes long, Eyes Of The Living Night achieves a perfect album length, making its mark but not overstaying its welcome. The production is inventive and impactful, especially when it comes to shaping Hultén’s lead and backing vocals. While ultimately the fuller arrangements result in a bit less intimacy and emotional impact, they demonstrate that Hultén is evolving his sound and broadening his reach.
Judging by the costumes and makeup in his videos, he is committed to creating a world all his own, one that entrances and mystifies his audience. Coupled with his skillful and evocative drawings, Hultén proves to be a unique artist making an impact that few others dare to consider.
Released By: Kscope
Release Date: January 31st, 2025
Genre: Folk / Ambient / Prog Rock
Eyes Of The Living Night Track-Listing:
- The Saga And The Storm
- Afterlife
- Falling Mirage
- Riverflame
- The Dream Was The Cure
- Song Of Transience
- Through The Fog, Into The Sky
- Dawn
- Vast Tapestry
- The Ocean’s Arms
- A Path Is Found
- Starbather
Order Eyes Of The Living Night here.
Jonathan Hultén continues to shape his enigmatic career through this second solo release. Weaving his hypnotic vocals with inventive accompaniment, his artistry is unlike any other. While this album features a broader array of instrumentation than on his debut, Hultén still retains his signature delivery and mystique, creating a world of his own that we are fortunate to explore.
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Songwriting
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Musicianship
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Originality
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Production