The Frail Tide cover

The Frail Tide

Be'lakor · 2007

42 min · 6 tracks · melodic death metal

Ethereal melodies intertwine with powerful guitar riffs, creating a haunting atmosphere that defines Be'lakor's immersive sound.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Neither Shape nor Shadow — The opening track sets the tone for the entire album with its atmospheric intro and showcases Be'lakor's signature blend of melody and aggression.
  • →
    A Natural Apostasy — This track exemplifies the band's lyrical depth while featuring dynamic shifts between melodic passages and heavier sections, highlighting their musical versatility.
  • →
    Sanguinary — With its extended runtime, this track unfolds gradually, weaving intricate melodies and powerful riffs that encapsulate the essence of Be'lakor's sound.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

59 /100
Treeline
Higher than 57% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong melodic writing and cohesive flow, establishing Be'lakor's identity in melodic death metal.

What we noticed

  • The album features lengthy tracks, with four of the six exceeding six minutes, allowing for extended musical exploration.
  • Melodic guitar lines frequently intertwine with growled vocals, creating a contrast that enhances the emotional weight of the music.
  • The final track ends with a gradual fade-out, leaving a lingering atmosphere that invites reflection.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
6/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
7/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
6/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
8/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • steady mid-tempo progression
  • sprawling atmospheric journey
  • immersive in-order listening
  • reflective moments of intensity

Maybe skip if you

  • prefer instant gratification
  • seek standalone tracks

Where this album fits

Career context
The Frail Tide is Be'lakor's debut album, released in January 2007, marking the beginning of their journey in the melodic death metal scene. At this point, the band was still relatively unknown outside Australia, and this album laid the foundation for their distinctive sound characterized by intricate compositions and emotional depth.
Stylistic neighbors
Insomnium· Omnium Gatherum· Dark Tranquillity

Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

  • A Natural Apostasy

    A pivotal moment occurs when the perspective shifts from reflective to accusatory, challenging notions of faith and existence directly.

    This shift not only intensifies the emotional impact but also reveals a critical stance on personal belief systems, enhancing the song's thematic complexity.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 Neither Shape nor Shadow 7:40
  • 2 The Desolation of Ares 8:08
  • 3 Tre’aste 5:41
  • 4 A Natural Apostasy 6:38
  • 5 Paths 6:03
  • 6 Sanguinary 8:40

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata