Drowned in Rum From Beyond

Few of the bands in the Perth metal scene can say they actually achieve a sense of despondency when attempting to write black metal. From Beyond, however seem to be able to achieve this with ease. The seven track EP Drowned In Rum is a combination of slow, depressing doom and the harsh bitterness of black metal; more commonly known in the metal circles as dark metal.

The songs have a distinct black metal sounding production. The guitars, seem to be off somewhere in the distance only to be heard as they swamp the stereo field in the vast amounts of reverb that they have been given. It gives the melancholic, clean guitar parts a strong sense of isolation and the distorted guitar leads even moreso. As a bass guitar cannot be heard in the recordings, the occasional bass support the songs receive come from long string melodies with a big low end. This works very well when the guitars slowly fade out, leaving the low bass end with another slow string melody to fade in, replacing the guitars lead.

As there are no drums in the entire EP, there is no feeling of attack or pace. No matter what tremolo the guitars may be playing or what screeches the vocals may be creating, the songs linger on in their slow tread. The vocals don't have the distance that the other instruments do, however are still in a black metal combination of screams, wails and shrieks. Overall, the album seems to have developed a strong link to dark metal, with a greater emphasis on playing bleak melodies rather than playing slowly. For fans of Bethlehem and Wolves in the Throne Room, From Beyond are a local band that will help anyone find the much needed desolation in their music listening experience.

Beneath The Eclipse She Bore Abominations by From beyond