The sun is shining again for Belore.
Created by Aleevok (all instruments/vocals, Continuum, Hamka, live for Darkenhöld), quickly joined by Charlie Videau (drums, Nydvind), the band unveils this year Eastern Tales, its third album, still on Northern Silence Productions.
The duo is completed by Ella Zlotos (whistles, Saor), as well as live guitarists Wÿntër Ärvn (Hardiesse, ex-Aorlhac) and Ederiel.
To the Eastern Lands once again opens the doors to this epic universe with a majestic introduction, followed by the equally intoxicating Sons of the Sun, where soaring tones effortlessly sit alongside raw riffs and ferocious vocal parts. The mix occasionally softens with the arrival of a few murmurs, but Black Metal’s fury is never far away, bewitching us with its dark canvas before feeding the ominous sounds with the cracking on Storm of an Ancient Age that accompanies our progress to this impressive landscape of airy riffs. Keyboards and flutes obviously contribute to the soothing ambience, as do the backing vocals, creating a contrast with the more martial parts leading up to The Hermit Awakens and its comforting acoustic introduction. Folk influences are a lot highlighted on this long track, which nonetheless welcomes a few moments of fierce, dark saturation before giving way to anxiety on Benelior’s Betrayel, a keyboard interlude where luminous slicks mingle to slowly captivate us. Battle for Therallas follows with its steamy vocals, transcendent melodies and more menacing parts, all wrapped in an ethereal curtain that carries us through to The Rise of a Sovereign, which brings this third chapter to an end with its much warmer roots, in stark contrast to the unhealthy growls and the final’s speedy double kick.
Eastern Tales adds a bright soothing touch to Belore‘s universe. Black Metal is still present, but the atmosphere is much calmer and more soaring than on previous albums, embodying a real sense of tranquility.
90/100