Beyond Surface is one of three bands that recently won Europe's Young Metal Gods competition, sponsored by Noise Records and seven European magazines. (But not Sea of Tranquility!?) The prize for these six Germans: A record deal with the label and studio time with producer Piet Sielck (Blind Guardian, Iron Savior), which led to the release of the heavy yet melodic Destination's End.
Hailed as purveyors of gothic metal, Beyond Surface must make some of that genre's most upbeat music, although the lyrics are way open for interpretation. Don't expect to hear Blind Guardian or Gamma Ray, but don't hold your breath for My Dying Bride or Tiamat, either. That said, "The Dreaming Beauty" does recall a bit of Paradise Lost's melancholia. Elsewhere, chunky dual-guitar riffs give way to falling piano drops on the blazing opener "From the Mountain," while "Funeral For Sarah" belies its title with a happy piano line and a bouncy chorus that'll get the kids moshing. Incidentally, keyboards play a vital role in the execution of these tracks, lending muscle without sacrificing emotion. Singer Gerrit (no last name given) possesses a strong and clean baritone voice that keeps Beyond Surface grounded -- and his pipes might actually be the main reason behind the "gothic-metal" tag.
Destination's End is a strong debut, but how would it have sounded without Sielck's input? I await Beyond Surface's next effort…
Track Listing:
1) From the Mountain (4:10)
2) Destination's End (3:25)
3) My Fading Love (3:17)
4) Feel (3:24)
5) The Cure (4:03)
6) Words Burn Down Like Fire (4:47)
7) Funeral For Sarah (4:14)
8) Don't Let It Go (4:02)
9) Crawling To Myself (3:09)
10) The Dreaming Beauty (3:46)
11) One Step (3:27)
12) Come Back and Stay (3:23)
Total Time: 45:13
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