A metal ballad album for the decade

Beyond The Black’s new self titled album comes off the heels of a three year hiatus and has an immediate spark out of the gates with their first track, “Is There Anybody Out There.” With an insanely catchy chorus and mammoth sized guitar licks, this song offers a brief view into what can only be described as a completely well-rounded album. Drawing on what seems to be a very theatrically driven sound full of synths and orchestras, they immediately set themselves apart from the metal genre and are pushing the boundaries of what fans are expecting to hear in the most positive ways. 

The following song titled “Reincarnation” is where the guitars really come to life.  Acoustic breakdowns backed by haunting vocals and lyrics push the guitar riffs to the forefront of this song and really allow the listeners to get a feel of the album’s direction sonically.  “Free Me” is a beautiful symphony of synths mixed with more chorus that gives off a rock opera feel that continues to take listeners on a melodic journey throughout the album. 

“Winter is Coming” is as classic of a metal song as one will find on this album while maintaining a very theatrical feel with what can only be described as pure face melting guitar solos and breakdowns. “Into The Light” has a much more pop rock feel lyrically which harps back to lead singer Jennifer Haben’s roots. Although the lyrics are steering in a different direction, the guitars and drums are able to tie everything back into the album with plenty of heavy riffs that you can’t help but to be consumed by as a listener.  It’s a song that you just don’t want to end. 

“Wide Awake” allows Haben to lyrically change the pace mid album which is a welcome break from the heavy riffs that have led up to this point.  It’s beautifully written and composed and leaves the listener only dreaming of what it could sound like during a live performance.  Following the incredible change of pace is “Dancing In The Dark” which will certainly be a fan favorite.  The guitar solo midway through is by far the best the album has offered and continues throughout the song during breakdowns that compliment the lyrics and drums in a way that most bands are still trying to perfect while Beyond The Black makes it seem effortless. 

“Raise Your Head” might be the only song that leaves listeners wishing there was a little more left in the tank.  Vocally, Haben continues to outperform any previous album with melodies and pitches that are nothing less than perfect. The song itself just feels like it’s missing something, maybe an extra breakdown or a little more out of the guitar solo which just seems like a climb up and down the pentatonic scales without the same amount of thought put into other tracks. 

“Not In Our Name” ties back into the second track “Reincarnation” with a very folk music vibe.  Something that Beyond The Black has been able to accomplish with this album is their incredible ability to mix various style of music to fit into the genre of metal but giving listeners so much more than just your standard metal album. 

“I Remember Dying” has a very classic metal feel which hardcore fans of the genre will appreciate. They give a nod to their past but continue to bring in sounds and instruments that are making them pioneers within their genre. To say that this album is a hit would be an understatement.  Its ability to be replayed over and over again is owed to the fact that they have put so many different sounds and instruments into each song that sonically you can pick something new up every time you listen to it. 

What this album would sound like being performed live has to be something worth going to experience in person. All in all, Beyond The Black’s self titled album puts them light years ahead of other bands in this genre and they don’t seem to be faltering off that path anytime soon.