BEYOND THE FRONTIER

In their debut album, the Polish art rock/metallers Hellhaven try to escape from the norm of modern progressive metal and, in some ways, achieve it.

Beyond the Frontier shows a band that is not afraid of experimenting, blending both typical and weird melodies with unconventional progressive passages. The music ranges somewhere between heavy art prog and progressive metal, most reminiscent of acts like Riverside and Pain of Salvation, utilising a plethora of low-tempo clean-guitar riffs and heavy breaks resembling to Black Symphony. The main difference with the aforementioned acts is that Hellhaven inject very theatrical elements to their music, from horror themes to operatic vocals, sometimes with more success than others. They also use movie samples and backing vocals to create their atmosphere, which at times approaches the post rock style.

The slightly-accented and, at times, exaggerated vocal lines may alienate the listener, but at the same time violins and horror-whispers may attract others. This is not a conventional mix whatsoever. Plenty of moods within the same track, plenty of ups and downs, boring moments interchange with inspired melodies and so on... This inconsistency does not help in making the album memorable but there are elements here that show big promise for a future release.

Best moments: Beyond the Frontier, Traum of Mr Twain Part 2

My first impression of this is that it is a harder, heavier version of Golden Earring's early period - up to and including Moontan - and that for me is not a bad thing as Golden Earring is a band that I love a great deal other than for many of their later albums. The similarity is most apparent in the vocal delivery style of Sebastian Najder which is very good.

The band's name is a weak point as far as I'm concerned. The name "Hellhaven" had me anticipating a standard Heavy Metal outfit and that is far from the truth in fact. The band state that they are focussing on being an art - metal band however I see this as more prog melodic hard rock than metal.

There is a lot of drama going on in the music as well as in the subject matter and the music touches part of me that loves melody and the dramatic. The musicianship is good throughout.

Relating to this there is just something missing as far as I'm concerned - it is good but there is nothing that stands up and shouts greatness. No weak points but no real musical giant statements either. If you are a lover of Golden Earring's earlier period (which I am) then this will give you a lot of pleasure. If you enjoy "Riverside" then by all means get hold of this album. Essentially, for me, this is a three and a half star album and due to the fact that it did take me back to one of the all time greats in rock music I will add the half star in order to allow for four stars.