Artist: Betzefer
Title: Freedom To The Slavemakers
Genre: Metalcore / Groove Metal
Release Date: 18th February 2011
Label: AFM Records
Album Review
BETZEFER are a groove metalcore band from Israel who have been silent for some time since their debut in 2005. Since then they’ve been adjusting and making their music more and more dynamic, trying to avoid all the cookie cutter metal trends that so many bands have fallen trap to. Now, six years later, they unleash their second album ‘Freedom To The Slavemakers’. It is a lot more “rock oriented” than their previous work as far as the riffs and sound goes, but the band tends to come off as a bad PANTERA or THROWDOWN copy at times with their sludgy riffs, rough scream-singing vocals, and rock n’ roll themed approach to lyrics.
However this does not mean the album is a waste of time. The opening is quite a thrash hitting groove track with ‘Bestseller’, an ironic title because it is certainly not mainstream. Tracks like ‘Backstage Blues’ and ‘Empty Magazine’ are heavy, metalcore chuggers that don’t involve that much groove and envelop the more aggressive side of the band. Then there are the more grungy, slower rock oriented tracks that would make ALICE IN CHAINS proud such as ‘Feels So Right’ and ‘Doomsday’ with its pumping, energetic riffs and anthem -like choruses that are sure to get fans excited about their work; plus it is possibly the best way to reach the gap between rock and heavy metal fans. The vocals change from rough shouts to cleaner croons, so there is also more dynamic there. Even death metal fans may find this album appealing with the gruff ‘Heaven Sent’, in which the vocalist tries a deep roar that is impressive and a quality change for the band overall, instead of just the same style over and over.
Despite it being subliminal, fans should admit that there is more going on here with BETZEFER than just strictly “groove metal”. The rock elements and rougher melodies echo some of the greats of today who paved the way for this kind of music, and despite the heavier metal elements being a bit more raw and unpolished, the extension of this experimental side, especially with ‘Heaven Sent’, is certainly commendable. BETZEFER stay within their comfort zone, but stick a toe in uncharted waters just to test the feeling. And the feeling seems pretty good. It’s hard to say that fans will love this, for it is more likely that ‘Freedom To The Slavemakers’ will invoke more of a love-hate relationship as half the album may be enjoyed and the other despicable. But, hopefully the groove infection will catch on quickly and induce quite a head banging good time.
Tracklist
01. Best Seller - 3:00
02. Backstage Blues - 5:09
03. Feels So Right - 3:41
04. Diamond Director - 3:57
05. Nothing But Opinions - 4:23
06. Doomsday - 3:51
07. Empty Magazine - 4:13
08. Perfect Lie - 5:11
09. Song For The Alcoholic - 3:16
10. Heaven Sent - 2:58
Line-up
Avital Tamir - Vocals
Matan Cohen - Guitar
Rotem Inbar - Bass
Roey Berman - Drums
Website
http://www.myspace.com/betzefer
Cover Picture
Rating
Music: 6
Sound: 8
Total: 7 / 10
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