'Blackbriar' is a symphonic metal formation that comes to us from the country which is a major provider of projects of this style since it is Holland, of which, to name only well-known groups, 'Within Temptation' and 'Epica' are originate from it. After 3 promising EPs 'Fractured in Fairytales' in 2017, 'We'd Rather Burn' in 2018 and 'Our Mortal Remains' in 2019, they released their first LP, 'The Cause of Shipwreck' which should quickly make them known to a fairly large audience of symphonic metal because they have all the qualities to succeed into this particular style. First of all, their singer 'Zora Cock' has a very particular and very original vocal register which brings an almost childish sweetness with a perfect mastery and a very expressive song allowing her to adapt in a beautiful way to the atmospheres deployed by the group. Then the melodic lines are all catchy and the compositions between 3 and 5 minutes are direct and tame from the first listening.
'Confess' opens the album with a melody which is reminiscent of their compatriots from 'Within Temptation', the whole being bathed in a theatrical symphonic atmosphere with a heavy orchestration, atmosphere that we find throughout the album and the following track 'Weakness and Lust' which alternates tranquility and energy in a marked tempo is still a perfect illustration of this. The following takes us through a melodic and powerful 'Through the Crevice', the mid-tempo 'The Séance' which is completely in the tradition of 'Within Temptation' and which was the subject of a video here, then, 'You're Haunting Me' is the first ballad break that offers a dark and disturbing theatrical atmosphere but so addicting. The second part of the album continues with an epic 'Walking Over My Grave' alternating in a beautiful way powerful passages with the arrangements provided and others much more refined and of which you can see the video clip above then, 'My Down -to-Earth Lover' takes us back to 'Within Temptation' from the late 90s and 'Selkie', the video of which you can check out here in comic book form, despite the rather dramatic theme of a love story that turns into drama, is much lighter and tinged with folk and brings a nice variety to the whole. With 'Deadly Diminuendo' (see the video here) which deploys a slow and heavy tempo, we are again in a disturbing atmosphere, the theatrical vocals of 'Zora Cock' working perfectly in this more tormented style and the album ends with the mid-tempo 'Lilith Be Gone' which is a perfect summary of this album with a new heady chorus and imposing symphonic arrangements highlighting a sort of quiet strength which, for me, gives me intense listening pleasure.
In summary, by perpetuating a symphonic metal from the beginning of this style with obvious influences from their big brother 'Within Temptation', the Dutch of 'Blackbriar' also bring a particular touch made of intense theatrical atmospheres thanks to orchestrations with multiple twists but also thanks to their female singer who has this talent to bewitch us and carry us away in each composition. Another great discovery for 2021 in symphonic metal and 'The Cause of Shipwreck' should undoubtedly appeal to all lovers of this style... | |
