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On 2020’s ‘Hørizøns’, German metallers Beyond The Black stuck their necks out and opted to pull back some of the traditional symphonic metal elements of their sound in favour of a more glossy, pop-rock/metal sound, and the BTB faithful were split. The majority were in favour of ‘Hørizøns’ – a hugely enjoyable album that entered the German album charts at #3, marking the band’s most successful album release to date at that time – but there was a percentage that felt that it wasn’t metal enough. 2023’s self-titled album featured a somewhat back-to-basics approach, with a heavier sound that helped the album reach #2 on the German album charts. Three years on from that, and Beyond The Black return with ‘Break The Silence’, their most complete offering to date, and one with an eclectic Global sound.
Like the aforementioned ‘Beyond The Black’ album, ‘Break The Silence’ is a lean offering coming in at ten tracks and thirty-five minutes in length. A collection of songs that highlight the maturity and growth to be found in the songcraft, and an album that flows better than its predecessor, which was weighted heavily toward the first four or five songs. Breaking out of Europe for their first-ever Latin America tour, playing headline shows in Argentina, Chile, and Mexico, as well as performing at Brazil’s renowned Bangers Open Air, has seemingly – conscious or not – played a role in cultivating the Global feel that BTB have created on album number six.
Fear not, though, this is not one of those hipster Damon Albarn does World Music scenarios. It is still very much Beyond The Black. And it is still a heavy Beyond The Black. Lead guitarist Chris Hermsdörfer is in fine form throughout, evident on the sizzling album opener ‘Rising High’, which also features some heavy hits from Kai Tschierschky on drums. Hermsdörfer really lets fly on the title track, which has lashings of cinematic arrangements running in the background, alongside the sharp, aggressive riffage (ditto the epic ‘Ravens’). Mostly played at a fast pace, with some majestic hooks, it certainly packs a punch or two and has a Maiden-esque feel to some of the guitar solos.
‘The Art Of Being Alone (feat. Lord Of The Lost)’ has BTB vocalist Jennifer Haben duetting with Chris Harms from German Gothic rockers Lord Of The Lost, and the mix of Haben’s ultra-light and poppy vocals and the low, deep tones of Harms is nothing short of sensational. A fantastic collaboration that will hopefully be re-enacted live during the European festival season in the Summer. Haben has one of the cleanest, purest voices in music today; regardless of genre, she steals every scene. Symphonic Metal often comes with grandiose, operatic vocals. Not with Haben. She has the range for whatever genre she wants to turn her attention to. Another sparkling duet lands on ‘Can You Hear Me (feat. Asami from Lovebites)’, which features Jennifer Haben duetting with Asami from Japanese power metal outfit Lovebites. Fantastic tempo to this one, and yet again Kai Tschierschky puts in one hell of a shift.
‘Let There Be Rain (feat. The Mystery Of The Bulgarian Voices)’ is where the ethno influences ramp up a notch, and the result is quite staggering. Huge hooks, I mean, huuuuuge hooks, with Haben performing in front of a wall of sound coming from The Mystery Of The Bulgarian Voices (an internationally renowned, Grammy-winning musical ensemble that performs modern arrangements of traditional Bulgarian folk melodies) alongside some full-on kick drum work from Kai Tschierschky. It is the combination of Haben’s vocals with the choir that raises the neck hairs, though.
‘(La vie est un) Cinéma’ is a French phrase meaning “Life is a movie/cinema,” and features Haben alternating between English and French with glorious effect. Just one highlight on an album of many. ‘Weltschmerz’ might seem like a strange choice as standout track, but it is. Performed in German and English, and with the word meaning “world-pain” in German, it is wonderfully melancholic, with a simple, pulsating electronic beat that leads into an explosion of sound once the band kicks in. Utterly beguiling.
Every Beyond The Black album from the 2015 debut ‘Songs of Love and Death’ has been building to this moment. The progression of this band has been a joy to watch, and it’s going to be fascinating to discover what the next few years bring.
Available January 9th via Nuclear Blast. Pre-order HERE https://beyondtheblack.bfan.link/break-the-silence-album
Review – Dave
All images – Heilemania
BEYOND THE BLACK
‘RISING HIGH’ HEADLINE TOUR 2026
15.01.26 UK-Manchester, O2 Ritz
16.01.26 UK-London, O2 Shepherd´s Bush Empire
17.01.26 FR-Paris, Bataclan
19.01.26 CH-Zurich, X-tra
20.01.26 DE-Munich, Tonhalle
22.01.26 HU-Budapest, Barba Negra
23.01.26 AT-Vienna, Arena
24.01.26 DE-Geiselwind, MusicHall
26.01.26 DE-Stuttgart, Wagenhallen
27.01.26 DE-Wiesbaden, Schlachthof
28.01.26 DE-Hanover, Capitol
30.01.26 PL-Warsaw, Proxima
31.01.26 DE-Leipzig, Haus Auenseee
01.02.26 DE-Berlin, Huxleys
03.02.26 DE-Hamburg, Insel Park Arena
04.02.26 BE-Antwerp, Trix
05.02.26 DE-Oberhausen, Turbinenhalle
06.02.26 NL-Nijmegen, Doornroosje
08.02.26 DK-Copenhagen, Pumpehuset
09.02.26 SE-Gothenburg, Pustervik
11.02.26 NO-Oslo, Vulkan
12.02.26 SE-Stockholm, Kollektivet Livet
14.02.26 FI-Helsinki, Aäniwalli
TICKETS HERE: https://beyond-the-black.com/#tour
