Be'Lakor - Stone's Reach

December 9, 2009

Reviewer: Phil A.

For those of you who do not know, Be’lakor is an Australian melodic death metal band.  Right off the bat, I’d like to say that not only do Be’lakor have a really, really Metal name, they get my personal award for the most Metal album artwork of 2009 (no, seriously, check that out!). Be’lakor’s newest album, Stone’s Reach, released originally June 20, 2009 and re-released November 30, is everything a melodic death metal fan could possibly need wrapped up into one tight, energetic, brutally intense package that no true fan of the genre should miss.

Stone’s Reach debuted to many positive reviews when it was first released, and after listening, there’s a good reason why. Be’lakor’s first effort, The Frail Tide was a great album in its own right, but the band has outdone themselves with Stone’s Reach in every way. The album itself is technically sound, delivering growling vocals, tight guitar, and pounding drums amidst clean, excellent production. It is exciting and rare to see such an honest, mature and sound effort from a band that now has but two albums under their belt. With an average song length of seven minutes, each piece never feels too long or too short, never over- or under-staying its welcome (a concept most bands can’t seem to grasp these days).  Each song is memorable and catchy without being mundane or by-the-numbers. The album itself is consistently strong from start to finish and lets up occasionally with more diverse instrumental intros/outros to fool you into a false sense of security before the sonic storm is delivered again.  Do not be fooled by these haunting instrumentals, as the band roars back to life and slays with more solidly bombastic sections. That dichotomy and balance blend perfectly to create a unique listening experience. It is rare to listen to an album without picking apart and finding weak spots, and on this album, Be’lakor show no weaknesses in any area, creating a concretely solid effort.

If Be’lakor can continue to pound out albums of such quality material in the future, then they can surely secure a spot among today’s melodic death metal heavyweights. This is one of 2009’s best albums and there’s absolutely no reason why you shouldn’t give this album a listen. You cannot possibly be disappointed or deny what the band has accomplished with Stone’s Reach.

Release Date: June 20th &
November30th, 2009
Label: Band Self Released /
Kolony Records

TRACK LISTING

1.  Venator
2.  From Scythe to Sceptre
3.  Outlive the Hand
4.  Sun's Delusion
5.  Held in Hollows
6.  Husks
7.  Aspect
8.  Countless Skies

Total playing time: 59:27

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