BETHLEHEM „Mein Weg”

Dark Gothic
73.59 (10 songs)
Cool songs: Allegoria, Dr.Miczo, Im Sog, elf soffitten
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Germany’s Bethlehem has always been one of the most enigmatic extreme metal bands around. Not content with repeating themselves, their music has never followed a particular pattern. The dark metal leanings that they virtually invented in the early days (particularly on Dictius Te Necare and S.U.I.Z.I.D) is still a major element of their sound, but there was a time where the band explored ‘Darkwave’ and ‘electronic’ keyboard laden territory. Knowing the bands mysterious past, I was prepared for anything when ‘Mein Weg’ arrived in my post box.

True to form, ‘Mein Weg’ (the bands fifth full length) proves to be anything but predictable. It is, once again, a most outrageous listen. I’m not sure how well the current Bethlehem style is appreciated nowadays. Certainly those fans who bask in, (and wish for a return to) the depressive suicide darkness of ‘Dictus Te Necare’ (which featured the torturous vocals of Andreas Classen of Shining) would be scratching their heads at the gothic laden melancholy displayed on ‘Mein Weg’.

Mein Weg is a 10-track 74-minute affair and virtually encompasses all previous Bethlehem styles that they have tackled over their 14-year career. However, as much as Bethlehem might champion the dark/harsh elements of this album (particularly the psychotic ‘Dr.Miczo’), the overriding feel of ‘Mein Weg’ is one of emotive melancholy with a significant Gothic touch. Among the typical metal riffage, we are subjected to melodic phrasing and choruses, gentle piano lines and distinctive keyboard layering. Yet, as much as this sounds rather safe and measured, be assured that this album has that unique Bethlehem strangeness all over it.

For most fans, this twisted weirdness is no more encapsulated than with their vocals. Current vocalist Guido Meyer de Voltaire is a trained singer – but he, as it the Bethlehem way, delivers the lyrics in German. This provides for a truly distinctive and somewhat off-putting slant on the whole album. His dialect is very strong and his enunciation seems to be even more pronounced because of it. The unique vocal nature gets even weirder with the 26-minute final track ‘Maschincnsatan’ containing a hidden track – a preposterous cabaret version of Frank Sinatra’s ‘My Way’…sung in English! Bizarre!

‘Mein Weg’ is a brilliantly produced album. With a forty track production involved, the guitar and bass tones sounds fantastic here. With the added keyboard effects and the underlying melancholic feel, this album will have a massive appeal to all Gothic/Darkwave metal fans. Not sure how the old-school fans will react, but there’s probably enough harsh moments here to perhaps entice them back to the Bethlehem fold. One thing is certain – Bethlehem are completely outrageous, like no other band.

note: 8.0/10

Tracklist

1.Aalmutter
2. Allegoria
3.Knochenkorn
4.frl.deutsch
5.Felbel Fittich
6. Dr.Miczo
7. Elf Soffitten
8. Cinsargen
9. Im Sog
10. Maschincnsatan