BELORE is an Epic Black Metal project hailing from France, that set its foot in the vein of bands such as SUMMONING, CALADAN BROOD, SAOR, and MOONSORROW. The music takes its place in a medieval fantasy universe created by the band from scratch, where nature and imaginary landscapes will take you out. With 3 full-lengths released through the German label Northern Silence Productions, BELORE is now internationally known also thanks to the collaboration with the European booking agency In Fiction Entertainment, that led the band to quickly play live in festivals and venues throughout the continent.

“To the Eastern Lands” is a short introduction of mostly symphonic elements, seguing into “Sons of the Sun.” Birds are chirping, and the renewal of spring is in the air. What a glorious time to be alive. Soft string and recorder lead to a meatier sound but the charming melody remains. “Storm of an Ancient Age” sounds like one of those storms at sea that can roll in and hammer your ship. Although the vocals are deeply guttural at times, the band always has their eye on the melody. The clean vocal passage sounds very folky to me and brings a different flavor to the album.

“The Hermit Awakens” enters with another jovial and folky groove, and the band is very good a adding just enough background elements to thicken up the sound. Clean baritone vocals and acoustic guitars carry the melody forward. “Denelio’s Betrayal” is a short two-minute piece that reflects the surprise quite well. “Battle for Therallas” has that feeling of an engagement…suspense is held until the fight ensues. The harsh vocals reflect the sentiment of the battle for life and death, and the melodies are more depressive and somber.

“The Rise of a Sovereign” closes the album, and it does have a regal quality to it. Gone are the worries, and the fears, for a rightful and just king is being coronated. I like the sudden change of sound, and the fact that the album ends on positive tones. Overall, this was a fantastic album that pushed symphonic elements as well as aggressiveness and melody. Each was like an ingredient in a soup, that comes together in the end tasting smooth and velvety. It’s heavy enough for Black Metal fans, and melodic enough for those who enjoy that side of music.