Released 10 years ago
Vessels
Be'lakor · 2016
55 min · 8 tracks · melodic death metal
A sprawling tapestry of melodic death metal, intertwining intricate guitar work with atmospheric passages and profound emotional depth.
Top tracks — play these first
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An Ember’s Arc — This track epitomizes the album's blend of melody and aggression, featuring soaring guitar harmonies and a dynamic structure that showcases Be'lakor's technical prowess.
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Withering Strands — With its expansive length and layered instrumentation, this song highlights the band's ability to build atmosphere while maintaining intensity, making it a standout moment on the album.
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The Smoke of Many Fires — Closing the album, this track encapsulates its thematic essence with an evocative soundscape that merges lyrical introspection with powerful riffs, leaving a lasting impression.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases ambitious songwriting and complex arrangements typical of melodic death metal, rewarding repeated listens.
What we noticed
- The album features extended track lengths, with four of the eight songs exceeding seven minutes, allowing for intricate development of musical themes.
- Guitar melodies frequently intertwine with atmospheric keyboard layers, creating a dense soundscape that shifts between aggression and introspection.
- Several tracks employ dynamic shifts in tempo, alternating between fast-paced sections and slower, more melodic passages to enhance emotional impact.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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8/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
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
- dynamic progression with resolution
- atmospheric melodies for deep focus
- wave-like pacing encourages immersion
- intricate riffs for attentive listening
Maybe skip if you
- seeks instant gratification
- prefers standalone singles
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released on June 24, 2016, 'Vessels' is Be'lakor's third studio album, following their critically acclaimed 'Of Breath and Bone' from 2012. At this point in their career, the band had solidified their reputation within the melodic death metal scene, showcasing their growth in composition and production quality.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Insomnium· Omnium Gatherum· Dark Tranquillity
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Luma 1:59
- 2 An Ember’s Arc 8:28
- 3 Withering Strands 10:56
- 4 Roots to Sever 7:05
- 5 Whelm 7:19
- 6 A Thread Dissolves 2:58
- 7 Grasping Light 6:51
- 8 The Smoke of Many Fires 9:29
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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