Far Beyond – The End of My Road (Melodic Symphonic Death Metal to Fell Whole Forests)
Dang, well I ended up really liking this far beyond what I thought I could or was possible for anyone. I see that “symphonic” thing tossed about and I get scared. Oh no, another one of these? Usually ends up being some horrid conglomeration of Goth and power metal that basically eliminates the cultural significance of years and years of fantasy culture. I don’t want to be embarrassed when I LARP, I want to feel like the heavens call to me as I wield foam weapons and bop my enemies into the ground! Considering his rather small discography for over twenty years now, I didn’t expect much out of Far Beyond, but man did this boy get me, heh, far beyond expectations.
It’s not because my expectations were low, either. It’s because Germany’s Far Beyond kills it. Kills everything, in fact. Symphonic and melodic? Risky game you play, sir. But he wins far beyond the average band (getting sick of the joke yet?). One amazing detail here is the utilization of keyboard. They’re absolutely placed into the front with the rest of the music, but it’s a requirement for this to be pulled off right. Far Beyond tosses in a number of expected melodic elements. The riffs can be excised precisely and cleanly and the vocals, though beast when they feel the need, are also carried in clean tones. With the dominance of the keyboard passages, you’ll feel goosebumps upon goosebumps, your hair will bristle before your enemies, and with a mere stare you can topple armies. The End of My Road is most hopefully not literal for the band, because this can go, lol Far Beyond what he’s done.
Written by Stanley, Devourer of Souls
Far Beyond – The End of My Road
Prosthetic Records
Cover Art: Julian Bauer
4.8 / 5
