BE’LAKOR – „Vessels“
You are in the mood for dark and atmospheric music? You want to discover bands in the Death Metal genre, but until now, it means nothing to you? Then “Vessels” might be a good suggestion! The fourth album of the highly praised Metal band BE’LAKOR could be a wonderful introduction for greenhorns as well as for old stagers of the genre.
BE’LAKOR call themselves a Melodic Progressive Metal Band. And well, it hits the mark.
BE’LAKOR’s music is a complex building of melodies and rhythms, garnished with dark heaviness.
If you to walk into this dark building, you don’t have to be afraid to get lost. BE’LAKOR take your hand and guide you alongside their melodies through the filigree and fathomless edifice. Some rooms are dark as the night, disgusting smoke hovers around you. But suddenly it turns into a tender mist, creating dreams in your head. Out of a groundless abyss can appear a frail butterfly. Welcome into “Vessels”, the house of BE’LAKOR!
It is defiantly not the typical headbanging-album to sing, shout along with and jump through your flat. Instead it is calm and withdrawn. The focus is on the complexity and atmosphere.
Let’s discuss the second album track to give you an impression of “Vessels”: ‘An Ember’s Arc’ is as long as a typical progressive song; it takes seven minutes for BE’LAKOR to max out a variety of opportunities and give the song time for development. It starts with a melodically intro by an acoustic guitar.
The drums are relaxed, the synthesizer decent before the songs start with death-metal-typical guitar riffs and deep growls by Georg Kosmas.
They are rarely a main element of song structure, but completive and ornamental attachments. Changes of rhythms, new melodies and variance of instrumental use (acoustic guitar change into e-guitar, piano into keyboard) are present throughout the whole song.
BE’LAKOR know how to mix up melody with heaviness, atmosphere with pressure. Fortunately there is never a pseudo-opulence, like a too thick layer of make-up on the music. That makes the songs even more authentic and enjoyable.
So, if you want to discover dark and atmospheric Death Metal, give BE’LAKOR a try! If you already like bands like INSOMNIUM or OMNIUM GATHERUM it’s even more interesting for you to listen to these Australian guys!
Track list of “Vessels”:
1. Luma
2. An Ember’s Arc
3. Withering Strands
4. Roots to Sever
5. Whelm
6. A Thread Dissolves
7. Grasping Light
8. The Smoke of Many Fires
Which singing style do you prefer? Clear, growls, shouts or something complete different? Tell us in the comments!