Insect Song

The debut of Beyond the Embrace amounted to little more than sodden In Flames worship which tried to distance itself with a mix of bland Hetfield vocals and one more guitarist. You could take even the most rueful, underwhelming effort from the Swedish band and have your ears profit ten-fold to what the Massachusetts youngsters were birthing. We all make mistakes, though, and perhaps once the band shook free of the cabbage patch of wannabe mediocrity, they would truly carve out a niche for themselves. Two years later, a sophomore album manifested by the name of Insect Song, and the band took another shot at reaching the spotlight that many of their peers were now suckling upon like a great rock star teat.

You'll immediately notice that the production of Insect Song is thicker and superior to its predecessor, creating a lot more impact when the rhythm guitars chug along. The first track on the album, "Fleshengine" is an attempt to break from the baleful comparisons of the debut. Sure, they still sound derivative, with more of a fueled 90s Metallica or Testament thrusting thrash rhythm, and the vocals to match, though they're a little more sad and 'rock and roll'. This is a fairly bad tune, but at least I wasn't scratching out my taste buds. The melodic death does arrive in the bridge, but it's competently executed and the heavier emphasis on the rhythm leads to a semi satisfying crunch. "Plague", however, is a complete reversion to the In Flames dominated drive of Against the Elements, only with the added burden of a terrible breakdown at about 1:45 which sounds like any garden variety, shitty New England metalcore band who wants to prove just how angry and emotional they are. This foul taste only crosses the tongue for a second before the band heads off into lead territory, but its enough to ask the waiter for the bill and leave the restaurant.

After hearing such tripe, one could only ascertain a dire prediction for the remainder of the CD, and "My Fall" seems to enforce this, a bouncy middle paced melodic death tune which fuses in some big rock chords to try and befriend you, like a Massachusetts alternative to Sentenced. We're back to copying In Flames with "...of Every Strain" and "Redeemer", though the latter has 1-2 half-decent riffs in their brought low by the mix of bad Friden style rasps and soaring melodic Hetfield vocals. The latter half of the record is just about as bleak as the former, with the title track offering no impact, ANOTHER instrumental acoustic piece in "Ashes", and something like "Absent" just pulling off another mix of In Flames and Sentenced that lacks in the writing.

I'd like to say Insect Song is an improvement over its predecessor, but despite the increase in production standards (courtesy of Ken from Unearth), the music is actually worse, with treacherously dull riff and predictable melodies for the majority of 43 minutes. The vocals are diverse, but annoying, which is the pitfall of so many US metalcore and melodeath bands striving to find an identity in the shadows of their betters. It's a more diverse offering in general than Against the Elements, but here that is not a favorable measure. The band has been fairly quiet for the past 5-6 years, so they could be on the verge of disappearing into time, their two albums having long preceded them into that void. Yet, one hopes that there is still something more impressive below the surface which they've yet to deliver us: a black eye, bruised cheek or a fat lip.

-autothrall
http://www.fromthedustreturned.com

This is BTE's second offering, more riffs and raspy vocals appear more. this one also rocks more often than their first album. Since there's more riffs it isnt as melodic as the previous. In fact, if this was your first listen to these guys, you woudlnt think they were melodic death metal. Hell, the first track doesnt even have any growls, but good raspy, James Hetfield-ish vocals. Actually, there's a lot of spots on the album that make you think, "hmm, that sounds like what some songs from St. Anger would sound like if it was good" both in vocals AND in some riffs. Another note, though, is that i dont think the leads are as technical as before, and you dont notice there's a 3rd guitarist as easily either. but it's all still good.

Flesh Engine Breakdown is a frantic and nasty bit. It shows the singer's more agressive side, without growling.

Plauge and My Fall both display their style of melodic death metal. Great melodies, growling, fast drums, good leads, and all that good stuff. This is another great song. More of that raspy kind of singing as well.

Of Every Strain has a good breakdown section in the middle. But this one doesnt really stand well next to these other crushers.

Redeemer gets going right away with some super fast drums and a nice lead. You can see the past influences like Maiden show up, but of course, much more intense. The vocalist must have had something with James Hetfield, because so many of the vocals sound much like his. Especially here. It doesnt take away from the song, in fact it sounds really cool. And he doesnt do it all the time so it's ok. The band's musicianship seems to have grown since ATE, for it shows here as well.

The title track is very epic-like, something not seen before. The song is moderate, but very intense. I can only imagine how this sounds live. It really picks up in the solo section. This doesnt stand out as much, but is still a good listen.

Ashes is an acoustic piece. Very dark. Although, due to the intensity of this album, this song would have probably fit better on the first album.

Weak and Wounded has too many breakdowns and is too hardcore-ish, and probably could have done without this one. It doesnt really go anywhere. At about 1:40 it picks up a bit, but doesnt last long, Even the solo section is kind of bland. Eh, id skip this one.

Absent reminds me of the previous album. Which is VERY GOOD! As is the song. Very melodic and good harmonization throughout. Biulds up in the middle and then just explodes. Very nice.

Within closes the album with some good riffs and kills you! You'll forget all about Weak and Wounded forever. Headbang!

In conclusion, get this! Get the first album first, cause that one is just amazing. The only reason this is slightly lower is that this isnt as melodic death as before, and that Weak and Wounded song, Other than that, there's nothing that should make you want to change discs.