symphonic metal
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When a band can claim that they have been selected to support Cradle Of Filth and Evergrey, you might think that they are well on their way to become a decent player in the present-day metal scene. That certainly seems to be the case for Benighted Soul. The band hail from France and have been around since 2007. This band also proves that female fronted symphonic metal is far from dead and reaches for nothing less than the top of that scene.
With good reason too, it seems. When I listen to this record, influences from bands like Nightwish, After Forever and Epica come shining through, accompanied by bands like Kamelot and even The Vision Bleak. The latter doesn't show up until 'Si Se Non Noverit' starts playing but when it does, it's brilliant. This is probably one of my favorite tracks, experimenting with carnival music, bombastic arrangements, blast-beats and some strange hooks. That being said, 'Threshold Exceeded' could be a Therion song.
Most of the tracks are quite typical, but excellent, pieces of dark, symphonic metal, highlighting in opener 'Halcyon Days' and the strong thrasher 'Martingale'. There's plenty of variation on this album too. Besides the odd arrangements in some songs, there's also room for slow, metal ballad like music. 'Only Make-Believe' or the piano-based 'Enlightenment' start out beautifully and gradually gain power and tempo, showing some decent songwriting abilities along the way.
With an album like 'Kenotic' Benighted Soul are well on their way to the big stages at metal festivals around the world, or at least I hope so. They have the skills and experience to make it happen. 'The Shallow And The Deep' could become a fan favorite on those gigs, causing headbangers everywhere. If there truly is a revival of this scene coming, Benighted Souls deserve to be one of the bands on the foreground. So check them out if you're into any of the bands I mentioned earlier. Maybe you'll gain a new favorite band...
Serge
With good reason too, it seems. When I listen to this record, influences from bands like Nightwish, After Forever and Epica come shining through, accompanied by bands like Kamelot and even The Vision Bleak. The latter doesn't show up until 'Si Se Non Noverit' starts playing but when it does, it's brilliant. This is probably one of my favorite tracks, experimenting with carnival music, bombastic arrangements, blast-beats and some strange hooks. That being said, 'Threshold Exceeded' could be a Therion song.
Most of the tracks are quite typical, but excellent, pieces of dark, symphonic metal, highlighting in opener 'Halcyon Days' and the strong thrasher 'Martingale'. There's plenty of variation on this album too. Besides the odd arrangements in some songs, there's also room for slow, metal ballad like music. 'Only Make-Believe' or the piano-based 'Enlightenment' start out beautifully and gradually gain power and tempo, showing some decent songwriting abilities along the way.
With an album like 'Kenotic' Benighted Soul are well on their way to the big stages at metal festivals around the world, or at least I hope so. They have the skills and experience to make it happen. 'The Shallow And The Deep' could become a fan favorite on those gigs, causing headbangers everywhere. If there truly is a revival of this scene coming, Benighted Souls deserve to be one of the bands on the foreground. So check them out if you're into any of the bands I mentioned earlier. Maybe you'll gain a new favorite band...
Serge