Hello =)
I'm so sorry I didn't write for so long! Had so much stuff to do that the blog totally vanished out of my radar in some way.
So ... I have a little record review for you here from an awesome band I lately discovered. Couldn't contain myself and had to order the album right away =) And here's what I think about it.
First of all ... the band itself.
One can't believe that this stuff is from germany! Discovered Beyond the Black only lately as In the shadows was played on Rock Antenne and I first thought this must be another colaboration of 2 or 3 artists. The voice seemed familiar but at the same time not.
Then I started researching and see there - it's new material! I do have great expectations on this band, am sure they'll soon sit up there on the symphonic metal throne together with Within Temptation and Nightiwsh. (2nd ones better should brace themselves after the current single ... but the album's yet to come so I don't make a judgement yet.) Well ...
Beyond the black consist of:
Jennifer Haben - Vocals
Christopher Hummels - Guitars
Nils Lesser - Guitars
Michael Hauser - Keys
Tobias Derer - Drums
The abum cover.
I really don't know. Leaves a slightly flat taste in my mouth. A bombast album like this desereves something different. But that's only my opinion as a total "everything has to throw me off my chair and contain as many details as possible" - freak ^^
As for the songs:
1. In the shadows
The song through which I became aware of this band. Very nice, strong intro that makes you longingly roam into the distance. Strong instrumental underlay in the rest of the song which has - at least in my ears - a little bit of Over the hills and far away. Beautifully soft beginning of the 2nd verse with a proper portion of bombast following. Very beautiful instrumental inbetween. Awesome song
10 points out of 10.
2. Songs of love and death
The song with the - like I call it - earthquake - effect. When the bombast comes in the floor starts shaking. There's only the teaser of the video out yet but it already shows really good what I mean: http://youtu.be/1hRYieBo3yQ
Very beautiful intro, the song builds up more and more until the bombast explodes in the chorus that is a slow one at first time but in the 2nd round then gets a nice speed. I just think that the guitar riff is very little dis-fitting with the rhythm in the 2nd round.
Uncommon variety that makes the whole thing very interesting. Big fat like. Especially because I already loved the Wacken version.
10 out of 10 points.
3. Unbroken
Very beautiful ballade. You can literally see the sun sink before your eyes during the first verse. In general it appears a little poppy at first which I don't think is a bad thing. It's a nice change for inbetween.
From the 2nd minute on it's over with pop then. The bombast follows and lifts the whole thing up to another level. Can't say much more about this than: masterpiece!
10 out of 10 points.
4. When Angels fall
The intro lets suspect not much at first, the first verse makes me want to drive to someplace far on the highway ... until the chorus comes that literally smashes you off your chair with very impressive and meaningful bombast. The growling in the background is placed very skilful and complements the whole thing very well.
Very great song. One of my favourites on this album.
10 out of 10 points.
5. Pearl in a world of dirt
As a change inbetween a very nice duet with Kissin' Dynamite's singer Hannes Braun. (That band isn't bad either by the way.) with very moving lyrics. The chorus is missing instrumental depth as I think and also variety. I liked the Wacken version more. Also the instrumental inbetween could have been a little shorter.
7 out of 10 points because of the complicated instrumentalization.
6. Hallelujah
Yes, hallelujah! I slowly ask myself at this point if this band has an affinity to christianity because this is already the 2nd song that is about religious stuff.
Ver beautiful intro that doesn't make you guess the bombast club that will hit you right afterwards. The song hits a little harder tones and confuses the listener at first. But not negative.
Still, for my ears that song is a little out of place in some way. But I love that guitar solo (or what it is..) around the end and the soft finale.
7 out of 10 points.
7. Running to the edge
Well what else should I say here except for - oops - Within Temptation! But I do indeed like that because I love WT's music. Very catchy riff right at the beginning, great arrangement! What shall I say more than - great song! More of that please! Ah yes and not to forget: awesome guitar solo!
10 out of 10 points.
8. Numb
The latin choir has already blown me away while listening the snippets in the album player on facebook. Perfectly placed and gives the whole thing depth. Blows you away right at the beginning.
Also here you can hear a slight touch of Within Temptation shimmering through. But I still don't think that's bad. Great song!
9 out of 10 points.
9. Drowning in Darkness
Very beautiful intro, nice sound effect in it. Also a beautiful transition with that guitar riff. Also here again, a little WT - influence. Also what belongs to the text. But exactly this is what makes the song attractive in my eyes.
Beautifully melodic with perfectly conveyed drama. Immediately sneaks into your ears and won't get out of there anymore. I just had to get used to the sudden end of this song already in the live version.
10 out of 10 points.
10. Afraid of the dark
Bam, big WT - intro. Like. Also a little training for your ears until you get to hear the rhythm right. Beautiful guitar riffs. Very nice bombast. Very nice growling vs. clear voice in the chorus. Nothing more to say about that one. Ah yes - and I like the Jenny - choir part around the middle very much.
10 out of 10 points.
11. Fall into the flames
Can't eventually make a review for this without a few prejudices because this song just speaks right out of my soul at the moment. I think the feeling of being mentally totally lost shines through very clear. Great arrangement, and with the chorus I get goosebumps. Have nothing to add to this anymore. Magnificent song.
10 out of 10 points.
12. Love me forever
I first have to say - I haven't heard the original by Motörhead yet but I do love that song. The voice makes me drop my jaw at some points. Awesome. Also the great bombast again from the 2nd verse on. No additional words for this.
10 out of 10 points.
All in all I'm quite impressed. Though I was at first tempted to scream "commerce!" since their label is a department of Universal and I know they've been doing a lot of sh** in the last years. But for being the first album of this band the songs are damn strong. Others begin waaaay further below. I really look forward to future material.
So that's all for now =) There's also gonna come some art again soon so be sure you check my blog again! *vanishes*
So that's all for now =) There's also gonna come some art again soon so be sure you check my blog again! *vanishes*