BENEDICTUM „Seasons of Tragedy”

Music: Heavy Metal
Country: USA
Website: www.benedictum.net
Duration: 59:02


Cool Songs: “Shell Shock,” “Beast in the Field,” “Nobody's Victim,” “Steel Rain,” “Seasons of Tragedy”

If you’re searching for the most honest Heavy Metal on the market today, look no further than the female-fronted quintet Benedictum. Geared toward fans of Impelliteri, Primal Fear, and UDO, this year’s “Seasons of Tragedy” is a superbly crafted musical entrée that satisfies your aural cravings to the hilt. Beginning with an intro where an electronic moan and exotic guitar notes mix to give off a cinematic feel, the band quickly gets into gear on the war-themed stomper, “Shell Shock.” Hammering drums, a solid melodic backbone, and Mrs. Veronica Freeman’s testicular vocals are the key ingredients that make the song undeniably familiar yet painstakingly magnificent.

Having started the ride on a high note, the adrenalin continues pumping for “Burn It Out,” a more energized tune whose cringe-worthy rhyme scheme has ‘fire’ and ‘desire’ sharing the same verse. The lyrical cheese also betrays a creeping suspicion of sexual innuendo on the section before the guitar solo (sample: “I want it…faster…ig-nite the fire!”). “Bare Bones” has Benedictum slowing down but still performing with flying colors. It’s one of the album’s more anthemic numbers that relies on beefy riffs, gang-style backing vocals, and an angrier delivery from Veronica. Three songs in, it becomes obvious that complexity isn’t Benedictum’s ball game, though the album’s neoclassical solos are derived from the school of shred-tastic wankery. Benedictum are a quintet who prefer casting their music in the mold of hooks n’ heaviness that’s melodic to the core and catchy as hell.

The groove-laden “Within the Solace” marks the band’s return to faster territory. Possessing the usual elements that are second nature to Benedictum (powerful chorus, big hooks, and a modern appeal), it prepares the listener for the massive “Beast in the Field.” Without wasting any more words, track number six on “Seasons of Tragedy” is the album’s climax and best cut, period. Being far more adventurous than its predecessors, “Beast in the Field” makes the grade as American Heavy Metal’s new anthem.

But Benedictum’s real forte is playing mid tempo, which is why “Legacy” proves so irresistible. Devoid of effeminate symphonic keyboards or the by-the-numbers Speed Metal bedeviling Gamma Ray and Metalium, the band are at their best on riveting fist-pumpers like this one. “Nobody’s Victim” further gratifies the listener; it just grabs you by the collar and induces a fit of scream-your-lungs-out thrashing. For reasons unknown, the band suddenly pays tribute to their heroes by doing an Accept cover… time to press the ‘skip’ button…

A token power ballad called “Steel Rain” rears its syrupy mug on “Seasons…” last leg. It’s the kind of song you’d expect from Dream Evil, but Benedictum prove they can harness the drama and pull at your heartstrings no matter the cheese. Title track “Seasons of Tragedy” is the album’s epic exclamation point lazily working its way to the last few seconds of running time. Now the whole “Seasons of Tragedy” may conform to a tried-and-tested Heavy Metal formula your average metalhead has already heard before, but those other bands don’t play as well as Benedictum. On a closing note, this review should merit an astronomical rating, but “Seasons of Tragedy” earns a minus 1.5 for the Accept cover.

note: 8.5/10

Tracklist

1.Dawn of Seasons
2.Shell Shock
3.Burn It Out
4.Bare Bones
5.Within the Solace
6.Beast in the Field
7.Legacy
8.Nobody’s Victim
9.Balls to the Wall (Accept cover)
10.Steel Rain
11.Seasons of Tragedy

Line-up

Veronica Freeman- Vocals
Pete Wells- Guitar
Chris Morgan- Keyboards
Jesse Wright- Bass
Pal Courtois- Drums