Behölder – In The Temple Of Tyrant

Behölder
In The Temple Of Tyrant
Label: Black Lion Records
Out: April 25^th, 2025
Playing time: 49:10

They were inspired by ancient times, Heavy Metal interwoven with the mystic powers of fantasy. This is how the Behölder debut album ‘In The Temple Of Tyrant’ comes across. The band was founded at the end of 2021 by guitarist Carlos Alvarez. According to the press release, the US-American band’s album contains 8 tracks of ‘monumental proportions, a true love letter to Epic Doom Metal’. With so much advance praise, I simply had to listen to the album.

Oh yes, even the opening riffs of ‘A Pale Blood Sky’ sound majestic. There is also a beautiful guitar melody and booming drumming. Calm Doom sounds accompany singer John Yelland, who does a very good job. Although the guitar solo is not very long, it is played with filigree. In the video for the song, you can see how the fingers flit across the strings. Interestingly, this is about forty seconds longer than the album version. And that’s exactly how it continues with ‘Dungeon Crawl’. Powerful riffing, rhythmic drums, strong guitar solos and epic vocals, albeit at a slightly higher tempo. And the whole band convinces with the choruses. Nothing new on ‘Into The Underdark’ either? Sure, the basic structure is similar, Doom Metal. But the melody, tempo and rhythm vary again. And there are some Power Metal elements mixed in with the sound. Amorphis singer Tomi Joutsen makes a ‘demonic’ guest appearance on ‘Eyes Of The Deep’. This is the original quote from the press release. Bitterly angry growls can be heard. There are also references to this great Finnish Metal band in terms of sound. ‘For Those Who Fell’ starts with a beautiful guitar melody. John Yelland’s vocals are contemplative. When the riffs and drums kick in later, the vocals become a little more powerful. All in all, we hear a great power ballad. A deep bass line and a no less deeply sung chorus open ‘Draconian (Slave Or Master)’. Shortly afterwards, the guitars bang again. The guitars move from the left to the right sound channel. This is how ‘Summoned & Bound’ starts. Another Epic Doom Metal song characterised by heavy guitar riffs. On ‘I Magus’, Behölder pick up the pace again. The fast grooves of the guitars are breathtaking. From about the middle, the drums drive the tempo forward. The outstanding guitar solo matches this. A fade out with acoustic guitars forms the finale.

With ‘In The Temple Of Tyrant’, Behölder have produced a convincing debut. Varied Epic Doom Metal with eight songs that have an epic, but by no means exaggerated length. The sound is repeatedly enriched with Power Metal elements. John Yelland can convince with his accentuated and variable vocals. His comrades-in-arms provide a powerful base.

Behölder – A Pale Blood Sky: https://youtu.be/kYxDvv1Puq8?si=eZVBvMPmmmo7rNPJ

Lineup:

John Yelland – Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals
Carlos Alvarez – Guitars, Backing Vocals
Matt Hodsdon – Guitars, Backing Vocals
Michael Sanchez – Bass, Backing Vocals
Andrew Julkowski – Drums, Backing Vocals

Track list:

• A Pale Blood Sky
• Dungeon Crawl
• Into The Underdark
• Eyes Of The Deep (featuring Tomi Joutsen of Amorphis)
• For Those Who Fell
• Draconian (Slave Or Master)
• Summoned & Bound
• I Magus