Review | Behölder – In The Temple Of The Tyrant

Sound Pollution

With regret I learned Carlos Alvarez left US power metal giants Power Theory, and it wasn’t until he remerged with this new band Behölder I took solace in his departure. With `In the Temple of the Tyrant’ Alvarez envisioned the next step in his career coming to fruition on this brand-new album, blending epic doom metal with mystic Dungeons & Dragons elements. Together with vocalist John Yelland they recruited an impressive line-up of ‘local’ metal alumnae to shoot Behölder into orbit. And orbiting, is exactly what this band does.

CLASSIC US POWER METAL

Behölder’s `In the Temple of the Tyrant’ is an ambitious and compelling debut that will most certainly land well with fans of classic US power metal mixed into epic doom metal structures and shaken up with fantasy storytelling. With its heavy riffs, soaring vocals, and intricate narratives inspired by the Dungeons & Dragons lore, the album delivers a sonic journey unloading with a powerful bliss, feeling both familiar and refreshingly unique. Carlos’ production, polished by Ronnie Björnström, boasts the record’s sound; massive in its themes with a cinematic experience wrapped in blasting classic metal.

Opening track ,,A Pale Blood Sky”, immediately sets the tone with its Lovecraft melancholic dark atmosphere. The slow-roasting riffs and John Yelland’s commanding vocal delivery create a foreboding grandeur, pulling listeners into the dark world of Behölder. You’re in the center immediately. The epic call and the soaring vocals atop the wonderful melodies and harmonies make the song nest immediately. The band’s ability to balance melody with crushing heaviness shines here, setting high expectations for what’s to come. The roaring elements and rousing sections make it well with ravishing tenure.

Shifting gears, the song starts to unleash its intricate drive with Alvarez and Matt Hodsdon doubling up on guitar duties. The solo is impressive, adding color to the syncopated tome. The epic and crawling tendencies nest so well it immediately shoots to the top of my favorites list for this year. Awesomeness is packed inside, with a delivery that blends classic grandeur! I’m back in my Worldview celebration…

THE THRILL OF CLASSIC METAL

,,Dungeon Crawl” shifts gears with galloping rhythms and intricate guitar duels evoking the thrill of classic metal, with piercing guitar melodies loaded on top. The interplay between melody and aggression is impressive, showcasing Behölder’s knack for storytelling through music. It’s a track that feels like an anthem for adventurers, blending Vicious Rumors’ melodic power metal influences with doom’s weighty undertones, making it go down into the melancholic realms predominantly. The song unleashes some of the most tedious short solos recorded in the genre, and Yelland impresses with his sonic dynamics aligned. His register soars and roars, enhancing the music’s thematics.

The descent into immersive caverns of darkness continues with ,,Into the Underdark”, which is a brooding piece highlighting Behölder’s doom roots shooting downward. The atmospheric passages are haunting, while the heavier sections hit like a hammer, mirroring the perilous journey into mythical depths. This track demonstrates the band’s ability to craft immersive soundscapes, reminiscent to the cult epos ,,Eternal Dark” by Picture, but, with a sincere punch. The trick they pull is simple astounding, with tempo shifts, while maintaining the song’s intensity and melancholy.

Yelland crooning and soaring his emotive vocals, adding to the display of power Behölder brings forward. The Phrygian scales, loaded atop the growling low bass lines adds the luster needed, and Yelland soars like and improved version of Iced Earth’s iconic vocalist Matt Barlow. He flexes wider and touched register all across the board.

TOMI JOUTSEN OF AMORPHIS

Loading more doom on top of its predecessor, ,,Eyes of the Deep” stirs the emotions, featuring guest vocals from Amorphis’ Tomi Joutsen. The interplay between Yelland and Joutsen adds depth to the song’s narrative, while Michael Sanchez’ thunderous bass and Andrew Julkowski’s drums create an ominous backdrop full of low-end dynamics. With the intense riffs roaring forward and the melodies and licks unloaded with piercing precision, Alvarez and Hodsdon discharge sheer madness. Weaving in middle eastern epic structures and ravishing vocal effects, the song displays a variety uncalled for previously. ,,Eyes of the Deep” is a masterclass in dynamics, weaving contrasting elements into cohesive volumic power metal! I’m all in!!

The melancholic yet uplifting ,,Those Who Fell” introduces elements with its ethereal acoustic opening before plunging into a doom anthem showcasing Behölder’s insane creational versatility. The dynamic shifts keep listeners engaged, making it one of the album’s most memorable tracks. Subtlety is fused onto a classic power metal carcass full of ridged memorable melodies, hooks and an intensely nesting chorus. Immediately feeling comfortable, the song blends Pink Floydian vibrational mastery on the spine of all that is metal, making Queensrÿche and Savatage look pale around their nose!

SPELLBINDING AURA

,,Draconian (Slave or Masters)” slows things down with brooding instrumentation and layered tension. Its roaring introduction and low droning bass introduce the ominous of darkness, while maintaining its melodic accolades. Pulling forward with buzzsaw scorch, and John laying down his most demanding and soaring vocals, it hits home instantly. The swirling melodies and guitar licks are seamlessly meddling with the demanding riff rage. All over, the rousing roar is met with swirling melodies and impressive guitar laying. The climactic finish is nothing short of epic, emphasizing Behölder’s ability to build atmosphere without sacrificing intensity, making it well with intensity constantly.

Hypnotic grooves dominate and a commanding Iommi-like riff carnage lie at the bottom the immersive slow-roasting ,,Summoned Bound”, drawing listeners into its spellbinding aura. The melodic flourishes add texture to the track, making it an irresistible listen for fans of doom metal’s more atmospheric side, reminiscent to the overlooked ‘Eternal Idol’ record of Iommi’s Black Sabbath. Yet, there’s something burning in the middle. There’s a flame burning brighter. The doom balanced in the scale of modern-day madness, with Behölder anteing up. They blend darkness with the impressiveness of Shadow Gallery’s wailing orchestral arrangements, and Yellander going front-to-back with Brian Ashland and adding the mesmerizing tone of Brendt Allman. This is sheer magic!

BEHÖLDER – THE CONCLUSION

It all wells into the opening riff of ,,Summoned Bound”, with Yellander roaring atop the dark melancholic riff and bass interplay. Discharging steep hook demanding melodies, the song roars with warm accolades. The vocals croon and the riffs scorch. There’s sincerity packed in the middle if the epic tenure. Balancing Shadow Gallery’s progressive loaded darkness, it also discharges all metal: melody and mystics!

Finally, the shorter ,,I Magus” closes with neck-wrecking grooves and transcendent melodies. The stagnant progressive riffs underneath Yellanders commanding and snarling vocals, add ravishing sincerity to the song’s drive and thrive. It serves as a fitting finale to an album steeped in mythic grandeur, leaving listeners eager for more from this promising band.

`In the Temple of the Tyrant’ is an innovative approach to epic doom metal, blending all metal into the root of its melancholy. Its melodic ambiences and energy are a turning point in the perseverance of dark and doom metal, while merging heavy riffs and demanding vocal discharge are emphasizing the epic storyboard for the imaginative storytelling. Alvarez’s love for D&D enriches the album’s thematic depth, adding layers of intrigue to an already compelling release, while harnessing the root of US power metal. The balance is frail, yet it adds to experience and thrive.

Behölder crafted an album that stands out for its musicality and thematic richness. `In the Temple of the Tyrant’ is more than just music, it’s an odyssey through realms of magic and mayhem, delivered with passion and precision. Whether you’re a seasoned fan of doom metal or new to the genre, this debut is one you won’t want to miss. THE MUST LISTEN OF 2025!

For me, this is the definition of metal blend into perfection. Debut of the year!

Release date: 25 April 2025