Beyond play a black tinged death metal. Minor tinge (very minor) though, mostly death metal on display with dizzying results at times. If it’s one thing this German four-piece know, it’s how to play fast and make it all gel together. Fatal Power of Death is the bands debut full-length, and after some line-up changes through their history, I think they’re on to something here.
Vocally, lead singer (and guitarist) R. sounds amazing. His vocals are demented, fast and straight up evil. Did I say fast? Try singing along to the title track and not puking or passing out. ‘Appearance From Beyond’ would give you more than a run for your money as well. (The added shrieks of fucking insanity are an added bonus. I would pay double to see this live and in the same pitch as on record). Along with his fellow guitarist R. (yes, another R. try and keep up). there’s a great sense of urgency and fucking torment seeping out of the guitars. Even during the occasional moments that the band does slow down, I still feel like this albums moving along like a sonofabitch.
Bassist A. and drummer X. are both loud and proud all over this album. They don’t have much of a choice, really. The pace of all these songs is manic and intense. There are times I had to turn the album up even LOUDER and re-listen to parts just to make sure I heard them right. ‘Whirlwinds' ain’t no joke, the song spins and the instruments all wind. (Listen to the bass lines on this song. Sheesh). When Beyond does slow the pace down like on the tail end of ‘Definite Decease (in the Chamber of Deathsalvation)’, the payoff is a great one, melding a mid pace drum beat and rhythm guitar under a scorching lead.
Any of you familiar with Iron Bonehead Productions knows the quality they’ve been putting out, and Beyond’s Fatal Power of Death is no exception. You can, and should, grab the album from the label now, in their online store.
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HAIL!!!
