Review Summary: A splendid genesis of melodic death metal with a mildly soothing atmosphere to chill you from your spine.
Vessels is an album of grandeur. Everything as pummeling as it is constructed and calming, like a magnificent blend of technical performance, electronic buzzes and interludes in songs like "A Thread Dissolves", and ultimate climaxes, a result from the powerful snarl from their vocalist and riffs that cannot really be described as anything but epic. There really is not better way to describe this whole album. Its a very broad term, overused and weak but everything in this album is like a good novel. Each song starts off either tranquil with toned down riffs and a slow pace, winding then through peaceful interludes and short bursts absolute power, ending with chilling riffs that leave you almost stricken at the odd mix of beauty and power.
Nothing proves this more than the intro track, "Luma". "Lights flash within the pall, always there, yet unaware, a thread that runs through all. Time bleeds through while from order they, to disarray, are torn from the thread, and so..." These are the lyrics to "Luma" bringing anticipation with its poetic devisings leaving the listener on the edge of a cliffside. The ending perfectly mends with the lyrics to the next song, "An Embers Arc", and the story then unfolds.
Yes. This album is a story, and an incredible one written in perfect syncopation with the sound of the album. Building upon like a spark into a full conflagration where everything falls into dishevelment. I will not spoil any of the story, but it makes the album more enjoyable on a deeper level that otherwise would not be present. It gives the album a dark edge that shadows its entirety.
No matter what however, the largest amount of greatness lies in the musicianship. There are on every corner great riffs, being infectiously catchy and helping create a perfect pace along side the drums. The drums never seem to leave the guitar side much, but its still perfect and inducing headbanging on its own. Even with the drum not shining above the riffs often, it never seems overshadowed, as neither part is over or underplayed. Its like layers staying together in harmony, tied to together by the midrange snarls which are just brimming with absolute power, sounding like the grunt of a mighty beast.
In short, this album is Be'lakor blooming into their niche, into the shell they have created. One of blasting death metal and overarching ambiance, never failing to seal the cracks of the shell.
