Year : 2025
Style : Doom Metal , Power Metal
Country : United States
Audio : 320 kbps + front
Size : 112 mb
Bio:
Inspired by the legendary era of ancient times, the heaviest of metal has been woven with the mystic powers of imagination only classic Dungeons & Dragons can evoke. From across the US, these combined arcane forces have summoned forth Behölder – Epic Doom / Dark Power Metal honoring the deities of old and named for one of the most iconic and terrifying entities in D&D lore.Formed in late 2021 by Carlos Alvarez (Guitars), the band also includes John Yelland (Vocals), Matt Hodsdon (Guitars), Andrew Julkowski (Drums) and Michael “Oneirous” Sanchez (Bass). Crafting songs based in the more shadowy, foreboding and grim realms of fantasy, their debut album“In The Temple Of The Tyrant” shall soon be released upon all those who would seek dark tales of adventure filled with – Magic, Mayhem and Riffs Heavier Than A Storm Giant’s Ass!!!™For fans of Candlemass, Solitude Aeturnus, Sorcerer & Memento Mori
Album:
Featuring a team of power-prog metal musicians trying their hand at Candlemass worship, Behölder’s debut album might be the most literal definition of power-doom I’ve ever come across. Granted In The Temple Of The Tyrant may be closer to something like King Of The Grey Islands than Nightfall, but the ominous bombast and theatrical strides are right in line with groups like Sorcerer, Crypt Sermon, and Solitude Aeturnus. And as a Judicator fan, the prospect of seeing how vocalist John Yelland takes to this style is especially intriguing.The musicianship reflects more of the players’ backgrounds than strict adherence to those classic epic doom tropes, especially with the production favoring polish and precision in the absence of echoing reverb. The guitars have a dark, crunchy tone that yields some hefty rhythms whose tightness gets further reinforced by the drums, which maintain their own punchy upfront presence with an array of intricate rolls. The vocals also fare pretty well as Yelland’s emulation of Robert Lowe proves to be just as effective as his signature Hansi-isms, boasting a timbre that emphasizes his lower range with the hint of a snarl in lieu of the more traditional vibrato.And with a songwriting method that can often be boiled down to slow power metal favoring the vocal lines about as much as the riffs, the highlights are best determined by which songs carry the most effective hooks. “A Pale Bloody Sky” is a nigh perfect opener with its trudging chugs signaling both the arcane atmosphere and an almost mockingly infectious chorus, “Draconian (Slave Or Master)” later echoing its mid-tempo muscle with gruff chants and biting chugs. It’s also amusing to see “Into The Underdark” come thiiiiis close to giving into the temptations of those upbeat power-ish speeds.I really hope I’m not making it sound like Behölder isn’t *doom enough* or some shitt because they do ultimately make a strong first impression with In The Temple Of The Tyrant. You can certainly feel the love that these musicians have for the style and as much as I would’ve appreciated a little more of that classic doom wobble or cavernous production, it’s also cool to see them approach the genre on their terms. I find myself hoping they could cut loose a bit more or even own up to the power metal side of the equation, but that speaks more to the potential this group has to offer.
Line-Up:
John Yelland - Vocals (2022-present) - See also: Judicator, ex-Dire Peril, ex-Disforia, ex-Principium, ex-Shadowseer
Carlos Alvarez - Guitars, Vocals (backing) (2021-present) - See also: Shadowdance, ex-Power Theory, ex-Cipher, ex-Single Bullet Theory
Matt Hodsdon - Guitars (lead), Vocals (backing) (2023-present) - See also: Chaos Frame, Noble Beast, ex-Matt Hodsdon, ex-Epicurean
Michael Sanchez - Bass (2024-present) - See also: King ov Wyrms, Pain Patterns, Never Reborn (live), ex-Judicator
Andrew Julkowski - Drums (2023-present) - See also: Chaos Frame, ex-Tomorrow Brings New Blood
Tracklist:
01. A Pale Blood Sky 06:34
02. Dungeon Crawl 05:38
03. Into the Underdark 05:20
04. Eyes of the Deep 06:26
05. For Those Who Fell 07:00
06. Draconian (Slave or Master) 05:54
07. Summoned & Bound 05:36
08. I Magus 06:44
Download links for all albums only on our blog here: http://goodmetalandhar.do.am/
