Band:	Be'lakor
Album:	The Frail Tide
Style:	Melodic death metal
Release date:	April 2007

01. Neither Shape Nor Shadow
02. The Desolation Of Ares
03. Tre'aste
04. A Natural Apostasy
05. Paths
06. Sanguinary

Be'lakor is a five piece Melodic Death Metal band from Melbourne, Australia. "The Frail Tide" is the bands' debut album, and it seems like they've jumped out of the blocks quite nicely with this one.

Be'lakor describes their music as "?aggressive vocals underpinned by dark atmospheres inflections and resonant harmonies". This is a reasonably accurate description of the band. The atmospheres produced almost remind you of a Doom aura. There are piano/keyboards used, and they do make a nice undertone throughout the music. The band is party inspired by nature and this is noticeable at times through expressive keyboard playing. The vocals are also well done. They're usually deep, but also often roaring and strong, a little akin to those of Novembers Doom. Although some parts of this album will remind the listener of some of the Doom/Death bands out there, this is still Melodic Death Metal.

The most outstanding feature on this album for me is the way the band has harmonised their guitar work. Lead and rhythm entwine very well, and produce quite masterful sounds. The heavy deep strumming and more technical higher notes together eclipse their Melodeath music. Some songs will also slow down to sections of acoustic work. Other times you can hear acoustic guitars mixed with solo-like mid paced electric guitar tunes. The guitars are varied and an outstanding feature. Be'lakor plays well together as a group though. The drumming is skilled and thunderous. The bass guitar isn't quite as prominent as it could be, but I have no real qualms.

The track "A Natural Apostasy" is probably the most diverse on the album. It actually has quite a nice build up from the start. Following that is a flowing heavier section and towards the end is an almost folk-like guitar piece coupled with a meaningful and well played flute segment by Megan Sykes. Be'lakor has created an album that will probably never bore you.

An unfortunate thing about The Frail Tide is that the album seems to fade away a little bit towards the end. The song Paths is a six minute piano piece. Although it sounds good and is technically well played, it perhaps doesn't suit the album to be quite as long as it is. The last song Sanguinary starts slowly and I thought it would be a disappointing fade out to the album, but it does pick up, and ties everything together well.

An enjoyable album to be heard by Melodic Death Metal fans and others alike I'm sure. It's quite a good effort for a first album, and gives great images of future things to come. Recommended.