Beseech - Sunless Days

Band name: Beseech
Title: Sunless Days
Genre: gothic metal
Release Date: 2005-9-27
Record Company / Label: Napalm Records

Introduction

Beseech is not a new name in the gothic scene. Their debut ‘From A Bleeding Hart’ (1998) was a breath of fresh air in the scene and the result was tours with Theatre Of Tradegy and Lacuna Coil in 2001. After that Jorgen (vocals) left the band and the band was still searching for their sound and discovering new ways. With ‘Drama’(2004) the band exceeded themselves. They did some summer festivals like ‘Wave Gothic Treffen’ this year. Now their fifth record it out and with their new sound there is more than enough reason to be curious.


Line-up

Erik Molarin - Male vocals
Lotta Höglin - Female vocals
Jonas Strömberg - Drums
Robert Vintervind - Guitar/Programming
Manne Engsttröm - Guitar
Daniel Elofsson - Bass
Mikael Back – Keyboard


Website

http://www.beseech.net


Songreview

01. Innerlane  – 4:07
The desperate voice of Lotta and dramatic arrangements set the tone for the song. There is also the low and emotional voice of Erik which makes the song complete. Besides that there are some heavy guitar lines mixed with a catchy beat. A good start: powerful and this shows the new sound of Beseech. It is also the first video from the band. You can download it on their official website.

02. The Outpost – 5:18
A guitar intro grows into a heavy part with uptempo drums. Suddenly the arrangements come in together with the dark voice of Erik. He creates a deeper dimension. The voice of Lotta reminds me of Evanescene, but her voice is more clear and fascinating. Together they build up the song with a dark and groovy sound. A midtempo song which fits very well with their voices and still it is the typical Beseech sound. The piana parts also make the song interesting. There is more in the song than you think on the first listen.

03. A Bittersweet Tradegy – 4:07
Catchy, heavy riffs, melodic piano parts and a dramatic atmosphere. The production is very good and all the instruments are well balanced and too much in the front of the mix. A very full song that stays in your head. Sometimes a bit theatrical with the dramatic duets between both singers. Lotta shows here an other side of her: high tones which makes me think of Within Temptation and she proves that she is a strong vocalist.

04. Evertime I Die – 4:03
There is the piano again, but more central this time. Together with the low riffs, the more down to earth voice of Erik and Lotta it is a very suprising song. Not complicated, but not the classical Beseech sound. Sometimes there is a melancholic feeling. All the parts are well balanced and the simple guitar parts every now and then make the song more dynamic. A more rock orientated song.

05. Devil’s Plaything – 4:49
Some clean guitar riffs together with the doomy voice of Erik. His clean voice carries the whole song. Peaceful and now and then a bit heavy due to the dry drums. His voices changes suddenly and Lotta comes in: a lot lower than before. Powerful and heavy. It is for sure a more experimental song. Then there is a bridge with some surreal arrangements and a light piano in a very oriental way. That makes the second part even heavier. The guitars are so well mixed with Eriks dark voice: there is no doubt that it will grow more to the end.

06. Lost – 5:38
A classical piano: a fragile start. That reminds me again of Evenescene in a positive way. Lotta gets the space to show her emotions and to build up a song on her own. It doesn’t get boring: her emotions and voice are interesting enough. You get curious as to where she wants to lead you to. Modest but giving everything she can. Maybe there could be some more variation in the piano melody to bring it to a higher level.

07. Last Obsession – 3:40
A distorted sound created by chaotic guitars, a different piano melody and the dark voice of Erik. A more electronically orientated song. The raw riffs and high guitars are suprising and the uptempo changes make it all the more alive and dynamic. The parts switch quickly and Lotta is more in the background. Finally the guitar lines are more in the front. There is a spoken part, almost progressive. They dare to be not so beautiful and catchy.

08. Emotional Decay – 3:54
The doom feeling returns with a danceable beat, and the Beseech sound: a crossover between the goth metal  and the more electronic parts. The voice of Erik reminds me of Tiamat in their Prey period. Dark, unpredictable, raw and down to earth. There is a lot to discover in this song and it is for sure that Beseech rebut their own borders.

09. Restless Dreams – 5:44
Psychodelic guitars and keys are dark and slow. The voice of Lotta is low and makes the atmosphere even more sad. The power is gone and there is no heavy feeling from the other song anymore. Crystal clear and fragile is the voice of Lotta and when Erik comes in, he is modest. The classical arrangements and the guitars in the end reinforce the melancholic feeling. The outro is unexpected, heavy and dark.

10. Reversed Mind (outro) – 2:03
The feeling from the last song stays in your head. Light guitars, dark arrangements which are not catchy or beautiful. When the last tones are gone, the silence is there. Empty, but impressed by the sound of this band there is finally some rest to think about this record.


Extra’s

Non - promo version


Cover Picture




Techinal Summary

Total playing time: 43.28
Total songs: 10


Conclusion

It is for sure that Beseech is back and stronger than before. After some line-up changes, they finally found their rest. The sound nowadays is more catchy, more complicated and experimental. Enough reason to be positive about 'Sunless Days.' The band has grown a lot and they don't seem to care about the traditional sound in the gothic scene. The band is more catchy, which makes them more suitable for the Evenescene fans, the more rock orientated people.  The production of the record is very good and well balanced: the arrangements are not overdone.

There are enough experimental songs and the voices of Erik and Lotta are strong enough to keep it interesting. Still there is something bad: besides all those new things the songs are a bit predictable. Mainly in the beginning the duets are a bit too much. Of course that is personal. When you just are looking for a strong and dynamic record Beseech won't disappoint you. They dare to be more unic and when that means a more mainstream sound then it is only better. Surely a suprise to hear this album.


Rating

Music 78
Sound 75
Extra’s -
Total  8/10


For more information about this band check the bandinfo: Beseech

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