BEHOLDER - In the Temple of the Tyrant
Black Lion Records
So here I am the Extreme Metal dude who's motto is "Hate is the Handshake I Give to the World". And yet, thanks to PR people, I discover a lot of cool sounding Power Metal or epic sounding Metal. In this band's case both terms apply. Also something else cool is that this release comes out on the Swedish label Black Lion Records. Years ago I'd get a lot of releases to check out from them. But in recent times it's been nothing so was it something I said?
Anyways here we have the debut full length by BEHOLDER a five piece act from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Yeah I know they're not the only Epic Doom / Power Metal from Hostile City, USA but I digress. The first thing that stood out for me about BEHOLDER is their vocalist John Yelland. This guy's singing reminds me a lot of Robert Lowe of SOLITUDE AETURNUS and CANDLEMASS. Add to that these songs, eight of em, seem to fit the inbetween of those two bands with a few Power Metal cliche touches.
Overall BEHOLDER has produced a winner of a debut album. Sure their songs are in the whole fantasy lyrical style. There's some chanted vocals as if we had a Gregorion singalong by monks. But the musicianship is cool and soundwise melodic most of the time. Then again there are times when the song structures get totally violent.
All in all In the Temple of the Tyrant is a great debut by a band which should be checked out. I'm not just saying by Doom or Power Metal fans either. BEHOLDER are the great new Metal band of 2025. Now sure some people will say "there he goes again with his hyperbole announcements". OK sure but I'm only wrong if you refuse to check it for yourselves which when you do you'll see I'm right. BEHOLDER rules, Nuff Said.
LISTEN HERE:
https://beholderblacklion.bandcamp.com/album/in-the-temple-of-the-tyrant
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