Bendida – Elysian Fields

Bendida
Elysian Fields
Label: Psychosounds Music
Out: 25^th October 2025
Playing time: 57:35

The Bulgarian Symphonic Metal band Bendida has been around since 2008. Only two musicians from the early years are still on board. Only guitarist and singer Vinnie Atanasov has been with the band throughout. Bassist Alexander Panayotov took a four-year break in between. Kremena Nikolova has been the band’s vocal figurehead since 2013. However, the musicians have been a little restrained with their releases so far. Their debut album, ‘Goddess of the Moon’, was released in 2017, followed by ‘First of the Heroes’ in 2020. Since then, another five years have passed. Their latest album, ‘Elysian Fields’, was released in October this year.

As one might expect, ‘Aelma Gilhoeleth’ is the intro to the album. Epic choruses, vocalises and string arrangements can be heard. ‘Hero’ incorporates themes from Johann Sebastian Bach’s Suite No. 2 in B minor, BWV 1067. These are underpinned by hard beats. Kremena Nikolova sings in a crystal-clear soprano voice. Her voice is powerful enough to compete with the loudness of the instruments. In ‘The Golden Dragon’, the drums dominate, accompanied by strings and brass instruments. The title track ‘Elysian Fields’ starts with a harmonica melody. This is later continued by guitars and keyboard. But the harmonica sounds also return, giving the song a folkloric feel in places. Nasty growls (Vinnie Atanasov) contrast with the high soprano vocals. In the contemplative ballad ‘Fire And Ice’, none other than Fabio Lione (Angra, ex-Rhapsody, Rhapsody of Fire) can be heard in a duet with Kremena. The vocals of the two are mostly accompanied by strings and piano. Only towards the end does the rhythm section kick in with full force. Sacred organ sounds open ‘Witch And The Bishop’. Later, elements of swing can be heard. But there is also hard drumming and orchestral bombast. ‘Dark Midsummer Dream’ is a Symphonic Metal anthem characterised by strings and wind instruments. And, of course, by Kremena’s soprano, supported by a baritone. ‘We Are Going To War’ then kicks off with kettledrums and brass. In keeping with the title, the vocals are very raspy. The ballad ‘The Swan Queen’ is the next song to incorporate classical melodies. This time it is the Waltz from Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s ballet Swan Lake (Op. 20). Another ballad (‘Lament For The Fallen’) concludes this journey through the realms of Symphonic Metal.

Although a great amount of orchestration has been incorporated into ‘Elysian Fields’, one can also hear some ‘real’ classical instruments, such as violin, viola, horn and acoustic guitar. Bendida’s list of performers is correspondingly extensive. Naturally, Kremena Nikolova’s opera soprano is mostly in the foreground. But male vocals, male growls and the voice of guest Fabio Lione are also skilfully incorporated into the sound. Fans of the genre will get their money’s worth with this album.

Bendida- Hero: https://youtu.be/mCiVvpXlRfQ?si=9gK-7pKP5mgIrUGi

Lineup:

Kremena Nikolova – Lead and Backing Vocals, Choirs
Vinnie Atanasov – Electric and Acoustic Guitars, Harsh and Clean Vocals, Backing Vocals and Choirs, tambourine, Bass Guitar, Programming, Orchestrations, Arrangements
Alexander Panayotov – Bass Guitar
Bisera Dimitrova – Violin
Ralitsa Georgieva – Lead and Backing Vocals, Piano, Keyboards
Plamen Dimitrov – French Horn
Vyara Grancharova – Viola da Gamba

Guest musicians:

Fabio Lione (Angra, ex-Rhapsody, Rhapsody of Fire) – Vocals on the song “Fire and Ice”
Choir:
Academic Choir “St. Paraskeva” at the National Academy of Arts (Sofia) – conductor and leader – Galina Lukanova
Svetlana Pencheva – Cello

Track list:

• Aelma Gilhoeleth
• Hero
• The Golden Dragon
• Elysian Fields
• Fire And Ice (feat. Fabio Lione)
• The Witch And The Bishop
• Dark Midsummer Dream
• We Are Going To War
• The Wheel Of Time
• The Swan Queen
• God Of Thunder
• Lament For The Fallen