'Worlds Beyond' is a new Belgian symphonic metal band formed at the end of 2016, and which already has to its credit the album 'Symphony of Dawn' dating from 2020. They released their second studio recording 'Rhapsody of Life' at the end of January 2025 and, although they continue to self-produce, they already have a good reputation given the reviews that can be found on the internet for this latest baby. It must be said that they have made every effort to impress and this release will be accompanied by 3 concerts with the 'Zanglust' orchestra at the 'Goldhof' cultural centre in the town of 'Tielt' on 28 February and 1 and 2 March. The album takes us on a musical journey that explores themes such as love, mortality, self-fulfilment and connection to the universe. Musically, I found myself in a familiar world of symphonic rock/metal with always very catchy melodic lines which makes the whole accessible from the first listen.
Right away, the first two tracks 'Familiar Skies' and 'Unwind Our Story' (see the video above) take us to the first albums 'Within Temptation', at the end of the 90s and the beginning of the 2000s, with the soprano 'Valérie De Kempe' who delivers wonderful vocal performances, which can recall in some places the intonations of 'Sharon den Adel', these two compositions benefiting from very beautiful melodic lines bringing an immediate accessibility. The violinist 'Jakob Declercq' is highlighted in the first title by bringing a remarkable warm side, and the second title alternates in a beautiful way muscular sections with saturated guitars and other quieter parts, the sumptuous vocal arrangements bringing an epic side, typical of symphonic metal. In the same lively and melodic style, we can also mention 'Breaking Free' which begins calmly and continues in a symphonic style with rich arrangements, but also 'The Calling' which is also very contrasted with an alternation of lively parts with much more refined sections, the violin of 'Jakob Declercq' and the guitar of 'Tijmen Matthys' bringing formidable instrumental sections.
But the Belgians have no equal in also offering us more moderate moments, raising the emotional cursor a few notches: 'Sleepless Dreams' opens the ball with a wonderful ballad that 'Valérie De Kempe' illuminates with her airy singing, then, the second half of the album also offers very beautiful compositions with, first of all, 'Beyond Reality', which adds a melodic gem to add to the best power ballads of this style, then, 'The Spark' resumes in part the melody of its predecessor to then regain vigour and add a catchy refrain with many rhythmic changes. It is also impossible to miss 'Enchantment' with its addictive melodic lines and its intoxicating pop atmosphere which moves away from metal, the violin adding to this feeling of joy then, change of atmosphere with 'The Moment' with the violin and the electric guitar, this time which are much more melancholic on this new melody to add to the best ballads of this style. The same goes for 'One With The Stars' which is another beautiful ballad with a stripped-down first half in which 'Valérie De Kempe' and 'Robbe Adriaens' offer us a magnificent piano/vocal duet, the second half adding the electric instruments for an epic and moving finale (see the video here). The album ends with the title track, which is the centrepiece of 'Rhapsody of Life', with many guests from different countries who bring their voices in different languages, and which is a progressive and symphonic epic with many rhythmic and intensity changes, all the vocal and instrumental ingredients that we want to find in this kind of title being gathered, 'Valérie De Kempe' flying over the whole with her crystalline singing: absolutely sublime!
In summary, as you will have understood, just like the Belarusians of 'Belle Morte', the Belgians of 'Worlds Beyond' deliver us a very accomplished work and filled with a beautiful diversity, which means that we cannot limit them to a simple symphonic metal formation, hoping that they continue on this path to deliver us albums of this quality again in the future... | |
