In 2017, I predicted a bright future for them in the great family of symphonic metal, and I wrote in my review of their second album 'Lost In Forever': "To conclude, with this 'Lost In Forever', 'Beyond The Black' is making a place for itself in the sun and could very quickly become the spearhead of international symphonic metal thanks to a very accessible style which is likely to reach the general public...". Six years later and still with the same line up as their debut, a new 'Beyond The Black' album is now a release that all fans of symphonic metal are waiting for, because we are sure to be able to get between ears an uninterrupted series of hits that hook you from the first listen.
The proof is still there with this opus which simply bears the name of the group and the Germans had already revealed part of it by releasing various singles and the EP 'Dancing In The Dark' in December 2022 in which each title had been the subject of a video: first of all, 'Is There Anybody Out There?' (see the video above), which opens the album and which also opens the concerts of the group and which is a powerful and driving melodic jewel, then, 'Reincarnation', a strong mid-tempo with an addictive new melody (see the video here), followed by 'Winter Is Coming' which has nothing to envy to these two predecessors (see the video here), and finally 'Dancing In The Dark' (see the video here) which, with his drums tribal, eyeing 'Within Temptation' with the composition 'The Last Dance'. We can also add a new video with the magnificent 'Free Me', also close to 'Within Temptation' (see the video here). And the other titles? No surprise, they are on the same level as the previous ones with the catchy 'Into The Light' which could be all the rage in concert but which has not yet been played, or 'Wide Awake' which also shows that the Germans know how to move us in very beautiful ballads, or even the mid-tempo 'Raise Your Head' with its addictive chorus but also the last two titles 'Not In Our Name' and especially 'I Remember Dying' which takes us to distant lands lulled by the melodious vocals from 'Jennifer Haben'.
In summary, two and a half years after the magnificent 'Hørizøns', the Germans of 'Beyond The Black' are releasing a new album bringing together the best we can offer in symphonic metal, and this eponymous album, filled with melodies that embed directly in your head, is added to the many hits already known and which will undoubtedly make many people happy at concerts... | |
