Be'lakor-Stone's Reach

Last Updated (Monday, 12 July 2010 15:35) Written by Miguel Blardony Monday, 28 June 2010 20:19

Release Date: Sometime in mid-2009

Label:  Prime Cuts Music

Genre: Melodic Death Metal

Rating: 5/10

Comments: Has its moments, but ultimately slides into oblivion, smothered by an ocean of indifference. Blahblahblahblah…

Despite being among the largest markets for heavy metal outside the European Union, Australia’s own scene, while vibrant, has yet to garner the kind of attention Scandinavian bands enjoy. But thanks to indie labels like Prime Cuts Music, Down Under now has a fighting chance to prove their mettle (or should it be metuhl?). (In fact, for a glimpse of what’s happening over there, go check Metalasfuck.net, a wonderful new Australia-based webzine yours truly contributes to, hehehe…) Among Prime Cuts’ more promising bands—who have since moved on to Italy’s Kolony Records—are Be’lakor, who are avowed practitioners of melodic death metal taken to its doomiest degree. For the quintet’s second album “Stone’s Reach” singer-guitarist George Kosmas, his lead player Shaun Sykes, keyboardist Steve Merry, and the rhythm section of bassist John Richardson-Jimmy Vanden Broeck take the unsuspecting listener on a meandering ride across Yawnville.

It’s sad but true. Be’lakor aren’t very interesting beyond a couple of songs that wear your patience thin in record time. Those keen on these blokes may leap in their defense by claiming that what the band lacks in memorable songwriting they more than compensate when in musical ability, ambition, and lyrical smarts. Sure, sure, that’s all great. But unless Be’lakor perfect their formula soon, the next album is bound to fare worse. The problem with “Stone’s Reach” is songwriting; there’s hardly anything memorable here and except for the wonderful interlude “Husks,” all the tracks clock in five or seven minutes plus. Unless you’re Dreamtheatre, Savatage, or Immortal, handling such immense running times without burdening your audience with a sense of its bloatedness is difficult for any band—ever heard of “St. Anger”? A sonic shitstorm, that was. (But alas, a different story altogether.)

If you’re still interested, the music begins on a promising note with the wonderful opener “Venator.”  Unfortunately it goes down hill from here.  “Sun’s Delusion” is okay though and the two part finishing combo of “Husks” followed by “Countless Skies” wouldn’t hurt either. Crap vocals, disjointed music, a reckless disregard for effective composition. Maybe this is an acquired taste. Curious, yet? Since this writer has always been short on credibility, might as well give Be’lakor a chance if you’re drawn to them by the wonderful cover art. It’s really nice and attractive. That’s the malignant flaw bedeviling Be’lakor. Nick packaging, boring product.