Behind The World

Sebastien

On SEBASTIEN's latest offering, the four track Ep-"Behind The World", the band swap power for […]
By Kevin Burke
March 17, 2019
Sebastien - Behind The World album cover

On SEBASTIEN's latest offering, the four track Ep-"Behind The World", the band swap power for melody, an offering which defines more of what SEBASTIEN as a unit are capable of.  Following on from last years well received, full length testimony "Act Of Creation" this Czech five-piece reach for a more accessible sound and nail it with respect.

Here, more so than on previous releases, keyboardist Pavel Dvorak is made full use of and flexing the fingers.  From the first ambient kick of ambient noise of "Behind The World", it is obvious they are more restrained. It saying that vocalist George Rain injects enough drama into proceedings to keep the music well away from BON JOVI territory.  It is reminiscent of late eighties-SCORPIONS, not wholly a bad thing and perhaps down to geographical locations.

"Fight For Love" is as nostalgic as the SONY Walkman, you feel it is the opening to an eighties movie.  Choral, which is addictive in a singalong way, it is a wall of industrial synth which builds the drama and pulls the listener in. Not a bad song by any standards, instead it flows effortlessly long without any flaws.

"Sweet Desire" is a standout here, of the short four tracks there is an extra element of steady rockiness that makes "Sweet Desire" head in a different direction.  Vocalist Rain sounds a little more anxious, projecting a bit more emotion and perhaps adding to the overall sound with building the drama.  That said the guitar solo is a wonderful flourish of notes, lifting off at the right time.  Though "Mirror On The Wall" is dipping into the stylistic ballad in a big way, it is still a fine track with the right amounts of keyboards and guitars to keep it interesting. Again Dvorak is prominent and pulls a reflective piano solo out of the bag that-regardless of your opinions of piano in metal, is a downright showstopper.

There is a feeling that this is simply more than an Ep, it may perhaps be a teaser or a trial run for a larger project, and we may see album number four released sometime soon.  SEBASTIEN are not so much changing style on "Behind The World" but perhaps taking more care with arrangements without losing too much of the raw feel to the sound.  The guitar cranks at times and the drums pound as normal, as Ep's go it is just not long enough to get a sense of how a full album in the same style will sound, but it is promising.

8 / 10

Excellent

Songwriting

8

Musicianship

7

Memorability

7

Production

9
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"Behind The World" Track-listing:

1. Behind The World
2. Fight For Love
3. Sweet Desire
4. Mirror On The Wall

Sebastien Lineup:

George Rain - Vocals,Guitar
Andy Mons - Guitar
Petri Kallio - Bass
Pavel Dvorak - Keyboards
Lucas R - Drums

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