Maximum Metal Rating Legend
5 Excellent - Masterpiece. A classic.
4.5-4 Great - Almost perfect records but there's probably a lacking.
3.5 Good - Most of the record is good, but there may be some filler.
3 Average - Some good songs, some bad ones at about a half/half ratio.
2.5-2 Fair - Worth a listen, but best obtained by collectors.
1.5-1 Bad - Major problems with music, lyrics, production, etc.
0 Terrible - Waste of your life and time.

Note: Reviews are graded from 0-5, anything higher or not showing is from our old style. Scores, however, do not reveal the important features. The written review that accompanies the ratings is the best source of information regarding the music on our site. Reviewing is opinionated, not a qualitative science, so scores are personal to the reviewer and could reflect anything from being technically brilliant to gloriously cheesy fun.

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Band
Be'lakor
Title
Stone's Reach
Type
LP/EP
Company
Prime Cuts Music
YOR
2009
Style
Heavy/Extreme
10/15/2009 - Review by: Hail and Kill

Be'lakor
Stone's Reach

Company: Prime Cuts Music
Release: 2009
Genre: Heavy
Reviewer: Hail and Kill

  • Impressive, though short of jaw dropping



  • Let's can the music review one moment and just stare at the cover. Look at it. Wow. That's the Perseus dude from Greek mythology holding the severed head of Medusa. Dark and creepy, albeit a little embellished for aesthetic purposes. It succeeds in perfectly conveying the mood of this second album from Australia's Be'lakor. Judging by their name, they could fit into any genre, which they almost do throughout the eight sweeping tracks inside this humongous sophomore release of theirs.

    Beginning with the contemplative instrumental at the start of "Venator," the band are quick to eschew the aggressive stuff for loads of mood. Once their peculiar metallic brew commences, expect every conceivable strand—be it Iron Maiden harmonies and depressive Goth metal tempos—from across the metal spectrum (except blast beats) to be woven into the massive tapestry that forms the soundscape of this album. From power metal keyboards to the energy of Gothenburg death metal plus doom-laden caveman grunts, Be'lakor are this year's heavy metal chimera. Despite their refreshing appeal, however, a few ugly blemishes do tarnish this otherwise impressive oeuvre. Foremost are the vocals, which border on the incoherently useless amidst the din of such progressive whirlpools as "Sun's Delusion" and "Husks." To worsen matters, the sound of this band, while hypnotic, lacks P-O-W-E-R, making the epic guitar duels here fall short of the expected bombast. Moshpit worthy moments are hard to come by on "Stone's Reach," then again, this might not be the band's intention anyway.

    But considering how new these guys are, hearing them pull off an album of such breadth and ambition is rather impressive, though short of jaw dropping. Songs like "From Scythe To Sceptre," "Outlive the Hand," the haunting instrumental "Aspect" that's the overture to the 10 minute closer "Countless Skies" push the boundaries of metal like the most innovative bands from Sweden. For those looking for that priceless underground sensation to rave about, "Stone's Reach" is your first choice.



    • 1 :REVIEW COUNT
      3 :AVE RATING

    ALL REVIEWS FOR: BE'LAKOR
    TITLE
    DOR
    COMPANY
    REVIEWER DATE MADE RATING
    Stone's Reach
    2009
    Prime Cuts Music
    Hail and Kill10/15/2009
    3

    ALL INTERVIEWS FOR: BE'LAKOR
    INTERVIEW INTERVIEWER DATE TAGLINE
    Steve MerryMiguel Blardony10/5/2009


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