 |
|
May 17, 2012 |
 |
|
 |
 |
|
BEYOND THE EMBRACE - Insect Song
Metal Blade (2004) |
7.5/10 |
|
|
|
|
|
01. Fleshengine Breakdown
02. Plague - Listen
03. My Fall
04. Of Every Strain
05. Redeemer
06. Insect Song
07. Ashes (Intsrumental)
08. Weak And The Wounded
09. Absent
10. Within
|
|
BEYOND THE EMBRACE have released their second album for Metal Blade. "Insect Song" is one part Swedish death metal, one part old school METALLICA and one part hardcore. Produced by Ken Susi of UNEARTH, this is a good sounding effort, and the songwriting and performances are more interesting than your typical hardcore and metalcore bands of today. The band have toured with the likes of OPETH, LACUNA COIL, MISERY INDEX, HELLOWEEN, and many more, and that exposure to the various types of metal has no doubt found its way into their writing. They show a mature diversity that will benefit them in the long run.
Singer Shawn Gallagher definitely has the Hetfield sound down pat, though I think it's more of a case that he just honestly SINGS like the METALLICA singer as opposed to TRYING to sound like him. The vocals are in the lower registers a little too often and it would be nice to hear Gallagher just kick it once in a while. He's a good singer, but I don't think he lives up to his full potential on "Insect Song", as it would be nice to hear his full vocal range. Plus, the guy actually sings as opposed to screaming at the listener for three minutes. That can't be said for a lot of hardcore bands.
BEYOND THE EMBRACE features three guitarists - Oscar Gouvela, Jeff Saude, and Alex Botelho, but they never get in the way of each other. Some of the harmonies they play are really amazing. Kevin Camille is an excellent drummer and only goes into overdrive when the song calls for it. He shows that he can do it, but he never overdoes it, opting for more of a groovy feel throughout most of the disc.
As I mentioned earlier, BEYOND THE EMBRACE have a nice scope to their writing. There's some interesting songwriting going on here for sure and this is the way that the band will be able to separate themselves from the overly saturated hardcore genre. Hardcore metal doesn’t really offer a lot of variety to the listener, and if BTE can continue to write songs that expand the boundaries, then fans will surely take notice.
"Plague" features some really interesting dynamics with it's start/stop drumming while "My Fall" is a complete Gothenburg song with it's chugging, melodic guitars and solo that sounds like it would fit nicely onto an older IN FLAMES album. The title track, "Insect Song", is one of the highlights on the disc. The tune features some really cool, machine gun-like guitars, and an excellent guitar break. The double bass drum work after the solo is really wild and it's one of the times that Camille lets loose. The instrumental "Ashes" is a completely unnecessary addition on the disc as it accomplishes nothing really, and adds nothing to the album. The acoustic guitar is a nice touch, and the playing is fine - it's just that the piece goes on for almost three minutes and it sounds so repetitive that it makes you want to press the fast forward button. Cut the thing down by 2/3, add it as an intro to a song and it would be much more effective, in my opinion.
The highlight track on the album has to be "Absent". The guitar harmonies are very cool and it's a testament to what this band is capable of. The album closer, "Within", is another fine example of what the band is capable of with its wicked guitar runs and stellar drums tracks. "Insect Song" does end on a great note!
I have to admit that when I first heard "Insect Song", I was ready to dismiss it as just another hardcore release. But, after a few listens, this album has really grown on me. I love the way the guitars sound (nice production job, Ken Susi!) and work together. They are never overbearing on what I would call this "guitar-heavy" album, and the drumming is bang on! Though the band don't really come that close to the musicianship of an IN FLAMES, SOILWORK, or DARK TRANQUILITY, and they don't quite match the attitude of early METALLICA, they are still young and are finding their own voice. This is a very solid band with a very solid release. Given some time, if BEYOND THE EMBRACE is able to differentiate themselves from the pack a little more, then they just might be heading for metal greatness.
|
|
|
|
