This is Melbourne metal band Be’lakor’s third album. Their previous stuff, while extremely well done – great playing and production, strong songwriting and a highly professional approach overall – was just a shade on the ‘too doomy’ side to have major appeal (to this reviewer anyway). Things have changed on Of Breath And Bone and very much for the better.
They have injected a new life into their sound, a slightly more ‘up’ vibe, and their music is all the better for it. At the same time, they have retained many of the signatures that have made them a growing force on the Aussie heavy music scene over the past few years. So if you dug the grim sounds of their first two albums, you will still enjoy the new record. You might just find yourself feeling more uplifted by the end, rather than all ‘doom and gloom’. This album should gain them quite a few new fans as well.
Be’lakor’s great musicianship and sound, song craft and professionalism are still there in droves. They’ve just fuel-injected their sound a little more this time around, and that’s what makes this album a real standout in 2012. Like fellow Aussie band Ne Obliviscaris’ album, which came out just a couple of months ago, Of Breath And Bone is as good as any progressive/melodic metal coming out of Europe or the States at the moment.
BY ROD WHITFIELD
Best Track: Remnants
If You Like These, You’ll Like This: DARK TRANQUILITY, INSOMNIUM, OMNIUM GATHERUM
In A Word: Strong
