BOWELS OF SUFFERING – [B.o.S. 2.0]
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The debut album by French metal band Bowels Of Suffering has an extraordinary story behind it. Shortly after the turn of the millennium, three members of the current lineup recorded the album – but it was never released. Two of these musicians, Baron Thomas Von Letscher and Tsar Andrzej, later joined the progressive thrash metal band Elvaron, while vocalist Marquis de Lanuit was active with the French thrash metal band La Horde. The revival of this long-lost project was largely driven by Lord Matthieu Morand, who is not only a member of both bands but has also worked on numerous other musical ventures. Through conversations with his bandmates, the idea emerged to bring this nearly 25-year-old lost gem to life under new circumstances. Over the past 25 years, recording technology has made significant progress, which is evident in the high-quality sound of the album – there’s nothing to criticize in this regard. Bowels Of Suffering describe their music as industrial metal, a label that fits well, though the album also bears clear influences from the late 90s and early 2000s nu metal scene. Bands like Korn, System Of A Down, and Static-X have unmistakably left their mark. The songs are short and to the point, averaging three and a half to four minutes in length. Yet, the band manages to incorporate numerous tempo changes, adding tension and atmosphere to the tracks. The dark lyrical themes, which are expertly underscored by the music, revolve around Gaïa, the goddess of the Earth, and her struggle against humanity’s destruction of the planet. Musically, the album alternates between brutal, hard-hitting passages and dark, unsettling moments where the pace slows down. The vocals of Marquis de Lanuit – harsh and raw, as they were with La Horde – perfectly complement the oppressive atmosphere of the album. One of the album’s standout features is the contribution of vocalist Géraldine Gadaut, formerly of the symphonic metal band Benighted Soul. Her performance is stellar, especially on the track D4rk Sanctuary, where she showcases her exceptional vocal abilities. Another highlight is the anthemic Deux X Makina, which many might consider the album’s strongest piece. The interplay between de Lanuit’s rough, guttural vocals and Gadaut’s melodic lines creates a “Beauty and the Beast” dynamic that, while not new, is executed brilliantly here. Particularly striking is the contrast of their voices on In The Name Of God Sin, which makes for an engaging listening experience. One minor criticism: the album might feel slightly too long, especially in its second half. Although there are some strong tracks later on – such as Neo Divinity, the album’s longest piece at five minutes, featuring groovy moments and more outstanding vocal passages from Gadaut – the strongest moments are concentrated in the first half. Despite this small drawback, releasing [B.o.S. 2.0] after such a long delay was undoubtedly the right decision. The well-crafted fusion of modern and symphonic metal will appeal particularly to listeners who enjoy breaking away from conventional norms and exploring music that pushes boundaries. Bowels Of Suffering deliver the perfect offering for curious metal fans. |
14 songs |
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47:33 minutes |
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***** *** |
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Genre: industrial metal Label: WormHoleDeath Released: 8th November 2024 |
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