Is it me, or is this one even better than its predecessor?

Written by [user id=109200] on 29.05.2012 at 22:23

Is it me, or is this one even better than its predecessor?

It is better, and in this band's case it means a borderline perfect metal album. There's a jaw-dropping amount of quality songwriting and melodies with great attention to detail. Most songs seem almost impossible to wear out.

Written by [user id=109200] on 29.05.2012 at 22:23

Is it me, or is this one even better than its predecessor?

I agree and I was all worried the quality of the last album was going to be near impossible to live up to. This is hands down the best album I've heard in a long time.

I can honestly just leave this album playing all day on repeat while I work without getting bored. I can't stop listening to this album. I don't know how, but they've somehow managed to surpass everything they've done before this.

You know what, I'll give this one another shot. I haven't heard a negative thing about it, so it earns a few tries at least.

It doesn't hold a candle to Stone's Reach. It's only my first listen, but I liked their previous album on the first listen and the style hasn't changed in absolute so I don't see why would it be different after more listens. But well, I'll give it another chance later. I might be wrong.

Written by Nightfall on 01.06.2012 at 03:32

It doesn't hold a candle to Stone's Reach. It's only my first listen, but I liked their previous album on the first listen and the style hasn't changed in absolute so I don't see why would it be different after more listens. But well, I'll give it another chance later. I might be wrong.

I'm enjoying it slightly more than Stone's Reach. Then again, I've had the disk for several days now (lim. digipack) and I've probably listened to it attentively 20 times thru.

It promises

Written by Nightfall on 01.06.2012 at 03:32

It doesn't hold a candle to Stone's Reach. It's only my first listen...

Give it some more spins on my first listen I probably would of only rated 7/8, but now I enjoy it more than SR (Stone's Reach). I think its just more beefy than SR, more choc filled with melodies etc. Remember that amazing outro to Countless Skies when there is what seems like 5+melodies working together in unison? That sort of thing is going on constantly on this album compared to SR where it happens far less, this is why I say this album is more beefed out.

Also after more listens you'll start to anticipate very memorable sections (and there is a lot of those!).

Written by Timmeh on 01.06.2012 at 04:50

Written by Nightfall on 01.06.2012 at 03:32

It doesn't hold a candle to Stone's Reach. It's only my first listen...

Give it some more spins on my first listen I probably would of only rated 7/8, but now I enjoy it more than SR (Stone's Reach). I think its just more beefy than SR, more choc filled with melodies etc. Remember that amazing outro to Countless Skies when there is what seems like 5+melodies working together in unison? That sort of thing is going on constantly on this album compared to SR where it happens far less, this is why I say this album is more beefed out.

Also after more listens you'll start to anticipate very memorable sections (and there is a lot of those!).

(Y)
You have a point man, this is it!

But i didnt like to give a 10 again, but.... uhhh again??? AGAIN???!!! Again.... Again OF COURSE . Also I just ordered the disc, they offer it from their site!

Written by Reaper_Redeemer on 01.06.2012 at 08:12

(Y)
You have a point man, this is it!
But i didnt like to give a 10 again, but.... uhhh again??? AGAIN???!!! Again.... Again OF COURSE . Also I just ordered the disc, they offer it from their site!

Yeah I really think that with all the extra stuff going on in the songs the atmosphere created is denser and more absorbing. Good to see you're supporting the band dude, I managed to get the signed digipack .

Wow, this is just bad; not only nothing new compared to previous material, but also tediously samey; don't know what you people find here.

Written by K✞ulu on 01.06.2012 at 11:07

tediously samey

Too folky for your tastes perhaps?

Written by Risto on 01.06.2012 at 11:39

Written by K✞ulu on 01.06.2012 at 11:07

tediously samey

Too folky for your tastes perhaps?

Not that (although this raises the whole MDM definition issue). I don't see what they have really achieved with this album. I was not too impressed with The Stone's Reach, but they have done everything on that album they are doing on Of Breath and Bone. The "8-bit style" of some leads (you know what I mean?) is something unique to them, but it sounds very repetitive. The drumming is also very monotonous: absolutely nothing to look out for there --> same patterns, same techniques, same sequences...

I don't want to sound like one living in the past, but modern MDM is absolutely stale for me. Opeth's Orchid, In Flames' The Jester Race/Lunar Strain, Dark Tranquility's The Gallery... As for Be'lakor, I don't see any touch of genius or even quality songwriting with them.

Maybe, one could say that I don't like the whole atmospheric direction of modern MDM... and more importantly, where is the mighty riff?

Just when I gave up on Melodeath

Written by InnerSelf on 01.06.2012 at 14:34
Just when I gave up on Melodeath

That's what I felt like right before listening to this.

Written by K✞ulu on 01.06.2012 at 11:55

Maybe, one could say that I don't like the whole atmospheric direction of modern MDM... and more importantly, where is the mighty riff?

Pretty much what I thought when I read your reply. The fact you focus that much on technical stuff kinda shows you don't feel the atmosphere Whereas you're missing "the mighty riff" I think that MASSIVE riff in "Fraught" is the goddamn riff of the year, haha.

BTW, the minor stylistic difference to Stone's Reach I find is the overall sound is more defined.

Better than Stone's Reach, but still inferior to The Frail Tide. Very good melodeath nonetheless.

I can't really say I get as excited over a new melo death album as I used to be but this is some good shit. The once again manages to not fall into the pit of repetiveness that melo death can be, yet I feel Stone's Reach was a little more varied.

Written by Timmeh on 01.06.2012 at 04:50

Written by Nightfall on 01.06.2012 at 03:32

It doesn't hold a candle to Stone's Reach. It's only my first listen...

Give it some more spins on my first listen I probably would of only rated 7/8, but now I enjoy it more than SR (Stone's Reach). I think its just more beefy than SR, more choc filled with melodies etc. Remember that amazing outro to Countless Skies when there is what seems like 5+melodies working together in unison? That sort of thing is going on constantly on this album compared to SR where it happens far less, this is why I say this album is more beefed out.

Also after more listens you'll start to anticipate very memorable sections (and there is a lot of those!).

I'm really surpirsed at this constructive advice. I'll give it another spin today.

I was a fan of Stone's Reach. Of Breath and Bone made me a fan of Be'lakor.

Written by Troy Killjoy on 01.06.2012 at 20:51

Written by InnerSelf on 01.06.2012 at 14:34
Just when I gave up on Melodeath

That's what I felt like right before listening to this.

It's weird, I used to get a hard on listening to Dark Tranquility, old-Arch Enemy, Insomnium but no other band seemed to offer something that would entice me as much until Belakor showed up ... Stone's Reach was fresh and highly enjoyable and this album is blowing my mind right now

In my mind, I don't think of AUS as being that different from USA...then I listen to this.

Written by Timmeh on 01.06.2012 at 04:50

Written by Nightfall on 01.06.2012 at 03:32

It doesn't hold a candle to Stone's Reach. It's only my first listen...

Give it some more spins on my first listen I probably would of only rated 7/8, but now I enjoy it more than SR (Stone's Reach). I think its just more beefy than SR, more choc filled with melodies etc. Remember that amazing outro to Countless Skies when there is what seems like 5+melodies working together in unison? That sort of thing is going on constantly on this album compared to SR where it happens far less, this is why I say this album is more beefed out.

Also after more listens you'll start to anticipate very memorable sections (and there is a lot of those!).

Hadn't waited for any other album like I'd waited for this - Stone's Reach was just so superior to anything else I've heard... have to say this was a bit disappointing, though less so than Orwarrior was or what I can only assume Wintersun is going to be this year. I don't agree it's as layered as SR, too many single track acoustic and keys passages for my liking. The more noticeable difference in song writing is the sudden use of off-scale sharps and flats in the chord progression - a little harder to get into so I need to give it a few more spins, but don't think it fits into their brand of MDM... But I'm shamelessly salivating over the drums being gleefully identical to SR. On that note, can't really understand why people expected/wanted something radically different from SR? I only wanted one more SR clone so I can stop wearing out my SR CD!

Written by Nervosa Aeturnus on 02.06.2012 at 07:42
Hadn't waited for any other album like I'd waited for this - Stone's Reach was just so superior to anything else I've heard... have to say this was a bit disappointing, though less so than Orwarrior was or what I can only assume Wintersun is going to be this year. I don't agree it's as layered as SR, too many single track acoustic and keys passages for my liking. The more noticeable difference in song writing is the sudden use of off-scale sharps and flats in the chord progression - a little harder to get into so I need to give it a few more spins, but don't think it fits into their brand of MDM... But I'm shamelessly salivating over the drums being gleefully identical to SR. On that note, can't really understand why people expected/wanted something radically different from SR? I only wanted one more SR clone so I can stop wearing out my SR CD!

I listened through the whole of SR again yesterday and it seemed drier and less dense than I remember it being and I'm blaming that on OBaB. In regards to OBaB I didn't notice an overload of single track passages at all, and the ones that were used set up the next sequence nicely (see In Parting middish way through). I also really enjoyed the keys seeming more evident throughout most the album it adds a whole extra element in my mind making the music seem more complete. It just seems like more of a whole band effort with the instruments conforming and binding nicely on this album often creating the illusion that there is more concurrent tracks than there is instruments (the vocal sections seemed improved and well placed as well). Some of the sections from the last 3 songs are just gobsmacking.

Either way SR is a boss album that's for sure and one of my all time favourites. I agree with you on the drums to, gotta love that fancy cymbal work .

Pretty damn impressive!

It sounds better after each listening ...

Http://youtu.be/Vnzqy28H50s

listen to the complete album here

This is sounding lifeless in comparison to Stone's Reach. Where's the character gone, with so many different influences. And where did the atmosphere go? Those melodies are grabbing me much more immediately though.
I hope it all changes but it sounds very bare bones to me at the moment.

I used to be able to enjoy this kind of deep, complex music before I had kids, but now I find find myself wishing it was more straight forward and to the point. Maybe some of you with 1 hour of music listening time per day and agree.