Beyond the Black: Break the Silence

Beyond The Black have reached a point in their career where quality is no longer up for debate. Fronted by the mesmerizing Jennifer Haben, a vocalist whose clarity, depth, and control feel tailor-made for symphonic metal but could just as easily shine in a mainstream pop setting, the band once again delivers a record that is undeniably well-crafted. Add to that a group of excellent musicians and strong production values, and the result is, at the very least, solid and professional.

That said, Break The Silence is an album that left me a bit conflicted. I am not deeply familiar with Beyond The Black’s full catalog, but after spending time with this record, I can’t help but feel it falls slightly short compared to what their previous works seem to represent for many longtime fans. Whether that is due to the number of collaborations, the heavier reliance on experimentation, or simply my own personal taste, remains open to interpretation.

The album opens with “Rising High�, a very recognizable Beyond The Black track that sets the tone but does not quite leave a lasting impression. Jennifer is excellent as always, but the male chanting vocals feel unnecessary and distract from what could have been a more elegant opener. The title track “Break The Silence� is where things truly click for me. Fast, tight and metallic, with a strong rhythmic backbone and memorable bridge and chorus, this is classic Beyond The Black firing on all cylinders and one of my definite highlights.

The first collaboration arrives with “The Art Of Being Alone�, featuring Chris Harms from Lord Of The Lost. This is a muscular and symphonic piece with a darker, introspective mood and a very effective Beauty and the Beast vocal dynamic. Jennifer’s vocal delivery makes following the lyrical narrative effortless and engaging, and the song stands as one of the most complete moments on the album.

The second collaboration, “Let There Be Rain�, introduces The Mystery Of The Bulgarian Voices. While the lyrics are inaccessible to me, the vocal arrangements and overall atmosphere are undeniably compelling, elevated by a beautifully melodic guitar solo that adds warmth and emotion to the track.

“Ravens� strips things back with acoustic textures and a softer, darker tone. It is easy to imagine this becoming a fan favorite in a live setting, with its intimate feel and strong vocal performance. “The Flood� follows with solid pacing, riffing and chorus, but once again the robotic male vocals feel intrusive and unnecessary, taking away from what is otherwise a very good song.

The third collaboration, “Can You Hear Me�, featuring Asami from Lovebites, is my favorite of the three. Fast, energetic and heavy, with excellent keyboard layers and swirling riffing, this track pushes the band into more aggressive territory while maintaining melody and control.

Yes, Jennifer can also sing in French, and she does so beautifully on “La Vie Est Un Cinema�. Her pronunciation and delivery are elegant and seductive, but once again the robotic vocal elements detract from an otherwise strong and memorable song. “Hologram� brings some welcome stability, returning to more straightforward symphonic metal ground, with the guitar work standing out as a clear highlight.

The album closes with “Weltschmerz�, a delicate and atmospheric piece sung in German. Jennifer’s voice here feels almost timeless, floating gently over minimal instrumentation and creating a subtle but effective emotional pull. It is a fitting and tasteful ending.

Break The Silence is a solid release that balances immediacy with slow growth across multiple listens. While not everything works for me, the strengths are undeniable, and Jennifer Haben remains one of the genre’s most compelling vocalists. A good record, perhaps not a defining one, but still well worth the listen… cheers!

Tracklisting:
1. Rising High (3:12)
2. Break The Silence (4:23)
3. The Art Of Being Alone (4:19)
4. Let There Be Rain (3:46)
5. Ravens (3:43)
6. The Flood (3:53)
7. Can You Hear Me (4:10)
8. (La Vie est un) Cinèma (3:14)
9. Hologram (3:19)
10. Weltschmerz (3:34)

Added: January 5th 2026
Reviewer: Jose Antonio Marmol
Score:
Related Link: Band @ Bandcamp
Hits: 188
Language: english

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