Often reserved for debut releases, eponymously titled albums usually tend to herald a band’s emergence into a more public consciousness. A proud declaration of intent that relies solely on a name. However, a title-free album released further down the line can just as easily foreshadow a lack of creativity or imagination. This isn’t always the case, of course, and thankfully, the latest full-length from German symphonic act Beyond the Black stands as one of their strongest records to date. Confident and enthralling, Beyond the Black (Nuclear Blast) sees the Mannheim metallers acting as a quartet for the first time, the band choosing to use session musicians since the departure of bass player Stefan Herkenhoff last year.

‘Is there Anybody Out There?’ starts the ball rolling, a strong opener featuring blaring keys and subtle but effective orchestration. The acoustic strumming of ‘Reincarnation’ follows with gruff vocal backing and a vibrant Celtic atmosphere while ‘Free Me’ sounds like early Within Temptation with its downbeat melancholia.

Things move up a gear with the soaring ‘Winter Is Coming’, the hook-laden ‘Into The Light’, and rousing power ballad ‘Wide Awake’. Definitely not a cover of the old Bruce Springsteen song, ‘Dancing in the Dark’ is another muscular anthem with an irresistible chorus, as is the uplifting ‘Raise Your Head’ and the defiant ‘Not In Our Name’. ‘I Remember Dying’ closes out the record in a wonderfully moody manner, again reminiscent of Dutch act Within Temptation. Bonus tracks include a different take of ‘I Remember Dying’, a piano version of ‘Wide Awake’ and ‘Raise Your Head’ performed with strings.

As ever, lead vocalist Jennifer Haben steals the show but the guitar partnership of Tobi Lodes and Chris Hermsdörfer isn’t exactly short of a few tricks and drummer Kai Tschierschky puts in a serious shift. A clean, precise production draws out every instrument and vocal contribution with total clarity, from duetting guttural roars with higher clean notes to the use of more subtle keys and dramatic background orchestrations. Featuring no excessively lengthy songs, every track gets straight to the point or builds purposefully towards something grander, ensuring Beyond the Black always keeps you invested and never outstays its welcome.

Buy the album here:

https://beyondtheblack.bfan.link/beyond-the-black

8 / 10

GARY ALCOCK