Beyond The Embrace Against The Elements
Metal Blade 2002
By Russell Garwood
Beyond The Embrace released their debut album Against The Elements on May 21st through Metal Blade. The six piece, hailing from New Bedford, Massachusetts, consists of three guitarists Oscar Gouveia, Alex Botelho and Jeff Saude drummer Mike Bresciani, Adam Gonzalves on bass and vocalist Shawn Gallagher also playing keyboards. Like many of the bands currently emerging from this area, Beyond The Embrace play gothencore; hardcore vox over death metal drumming and Gothenburg guitars with occasional NWOBHM influences. They do so, however, with a twist there are occasional acoustic parts, piano, several instrumentals and at times clean, if slightly raw vocals. Emo elements add further variation and, as you would expect, this is a very guitar-based album.
There are several clear standouts on Against The Elements; opener Bastard Screams, despite some poor lyrics like Chewing on razorblades again, suckling wounds that forever unend, these bastard screams in whirlwind screams has a very cool chorus. Second song Morning In Magenta (recognise the title?) shows one of the bands clear influences and has an excellent piano outro. Instrumental Drowning Sun has some good acoustic, slightly Spanish guitars and Release has a welcome change in character halfway through. Final track The Riddle Of Steel finishes the album well with some impressive guitar work and numerous solos.
Overall Against The Elements is an impressive debut. At times you can get lost in the music and it starts to feel samey, but there is enough variation to stop this happening too often. Some may not like Gallaghers raw (clean) vocal style, but it not only suits the music, it grows on you. This album is a must for fans of the gothencore sound and, for anysone looking for something new, but not too adventurous, this would be an excellent album to try.
Metal Blade 2002
By Russell Garwood
Beyond The Embrace released their debut album Against The Elements on May 21st through Metal Blade. The six piece, hailing from New Bedford, Massachusetts, consists of three guitarists Oscar Gouveia, Alex Botelho and Jeff Saude drummer Mike Bresciani, Adam Gonzalves on bass and vocalist Shawn Gallagher also playing keyboards. Like many of the bands currently emerging from this area, Beyond The Embrace play gothencore; hardcore vox over death metal drumming and Gothenburg guitars with occasional NWOBHM influences. They do so, however, with a twist there are occasional acoustic parts, piano, several instrumentals and at times clean, if slightly raw vocals. Emo elements add further variation and, as you would expect, this is a very guitar-based album.
There are several clear standouts on Against The Elements; opener Bastard Screams, despite some poor lyrics like Chewing on razorblades again, suckling wounds that forever unend, these bastard screams in whirlwind screams has a very cool chorus. Second song Morning In Magenta (recognise the title?) shows one of the bands clear influences and has an excellent piano outro. Instrumental Drowning Sun has some good acoustic, slightly Spanish guitars and Release has a welcome change in character halfway through. Final track The Riddle Of Steel finishes the album well with some impressive guitar work and numerous solos.
Overall Against The Elements is an impressive debut. At times you can get lost in the music and it starts to feel samey, but there is enough variation to stop this happening too often. Some may not like Gallaghers raw (clean) vocal style, but it not only suits the music, it grows on you. This album is a must for fans of the gothencore sound and, for anysone looking for something new, but not too adventurous, this would be an excellent album to try.
