Ethereal Metal

Ryan Murray | Co-Owner | Chief Editor | Contributor | Photographer

r.m.music84@gmail.com

There are moments when a band stops chasing momentum and instead becomes it. With Break The Silence, Beyond The Black don’t just step into their next era, they rise above it. This sixth full-length is cinematic melodic metal at its most expansive, a record that understands the power of restraint as deeply as it understands the thrill of release. Symphonic roots still shimmer beneath the surface, but this is a band confidently sharpening their identity, embracing a more modern melodic metal core while letting emotion, melody, and message carry the weight.

From the opening surge of Rising High, the intent is unmistakable. The track bursts forward with urgency, drenched in infectious hooks and radiant melodies that feel tailor-made for massive stages. Jennifer Haben sounds unstoppable here, her voice cutting through the mix with clarity and power, setting the tone for an album that refuses to be small. That momentum crashes directly into the title track, Break The Silence, an anthem in the truest sense of the word. Its chorus doesn’t just invite a singalong, it demands one, swelling with stadium-sized emotion and conviction. This is Beyond The Black at their most triumphant, fists raised, eyes forward, daring the world to listen.

The album’s emotional depth begins to unfold with The Art Of Being Alone, which leans further into symphonic territory while adding a dark, gothic edge thanks to Chris “The Lord” Harms of Lord Of The Lost. His unmistakable vocal presence weaves seamlessly with Haben’s, creating a haunting dialogue that amplifies the song’s themes of isolation and self-reflection. That richness carries into Let There Be Rain, a standout that blends infectious guitar leads with a striking key modulation towards the end. The addition of The Mystery of the Bulgarian Voices elevates the track into something truly otherworldly, their legendary harmonies adding depth and gravity that transform the song into a sweeping, almost spiritual experience.

As the album progresses, its darker hues come into focus. Ravens drips with brooding atmosphere, wrapped in ethereal textures that allow Haben’s versatility to shine. She moves effortlessly between vulnerability and power, cementing her status as one of modern metal’s most compelling vocalists. That sense of unease and beauty collides with The Flood, one of the album’s most daring moments. Synth-laced vocal layers and epic choral arrangements blur genre boundaries, creating a track that feels both futuristic and timeless. It’s bold, immersive, and undeniably one of Break The Silence’s defining statements.

Energy surges again with Can You Hear Me, featuring Asami from Lovebites, a collaboration that feels less like a guest spot and more like a meeting of equals. Power metal precision, modern melodic heft, and Beyond The Black’s unmistakable flair collide here, resulting in a track that crackles with life and forward momentum. It’s followed by (La Vie Est Un) Cinéma, a piece that lives up to its name, unfolding like a vivid montage of emotion and movement. Cinematic in structure and tone, it feels like the emotional hinge of the album, where reflection and resolve meet.

The latter stretch of Break The Silence continues to expand its emotional palette. Hologram pulses with modern texture and melodic urgency, its sleek production underscoring themes of identity and disconnection in a digitized world. It feels sharp and contemporary without sacrificing warmth, further proof of the band’s evolving sound. And then comes Weltschmerz, the album’s melancholic yet quietly hopeful closer. Translating to “world-pain,” the song acknowledges the weight of a broken world while refusing to surrender to it. Its beauty lies in that balance, closing the record on a note of resilience with lyrics that reach skyward, promising freedom beyond space, time, and despair.

What makes Break The Silence so powerful is not just its scale, but its sincerity. This is not a band reinventing themselves for novelty’s sake. Instead, Beyond The Black refine their strengths, deepen their emotional reach, and widen their sonic horizons with confidence and purpose. The symphonic elements remain, but they serve the songs rather than define them, allowing melody, message, and atmosphere to take center stage.

In a genre that thrives on grandeur, Break The Silence stands tall as a record that understands why that grandeur matters. It’s bold and at times bombastic, emotional without being fragile, and triumphant without ever losing its humanity. Beyond The Black haven’t just found their voice, they have amplified it, and the echo is impossible to ignore.

Verdict: 4.5/5