by Joe Mis
– Sr. Columnist —
After a significant break, pioneering Gothic Rockers Beseech have reunited and put the finishing touches on their latest dark and melancholic release entitled My Darkness, Darkness. If the title doesn’t give you a clue, the band hails from the legendary birthplace of the darker Metal genres, Gothenburg, Sweden (well, actually Borås, which is very near to Gothenburg). The newly revitalized act does their home town proud, delivering a moody and doom-laden sound that is right at home in the Gothic genre.
For those not familiar with the band, Beseech was founded back in 1992 by current vocalist Klas Bohlin and a few friends. They released a demo called A Lesser Kind of Evil in November 1992. After some lineup changes (most notably the addition of guitarist and songwriter Robert Vintervind) the band released a second demo, Last Chapter in 1994. In 1995 Beseech recorded another demo, Tears, which led to a 1996 record deal. Despite having completed their debut album …From a Bleeding Heart in 1996, it was not officially released until 1998 due to record company problems. They released album number two, Black Emotions, in mid-2000, followed by Souls Highway in 2002. Bohlin left the band in 2003 but Beseech continued on, releasing Drama in 2004, and Sunless Days in 2005 before calling it quits. Beseech reunited in 2012 with core members Bohlin (now on vocals), guitarists Vintervind and Manne Engström being joined by new members Johan Örnborg (bass), Angelina Sahlgren Söder (vocals), and Håkan Carlsson (drums). The “new” Beseech has focused on strong singing with more space for harmony vocals – producing classic Gothic Rock.
Beseech’s My Darkness, Darkness is about as pure Gothic as can be. It has a modern feel to the music, but a lushness and warmth in the sound recording that gives the music an almost classic rock sound. In the band’s own words, the album “…can be described as a theme of stories from a desolated borderland, where we live in symbiosis with the darkness and the light. Constantly we want to be reminded of our good deeds and bright memories, while we are silent about the diseases, tragedies and losses.”
The albums opens with a strong track, “Beating Pulse,” mixing acoustic and electric instrumentation over well done duet vocals. Bohlin adopts a very low-key, almost whispered delivery that comes across well during the acoustic passages but gets somewhat buried once the electrics kick in. “The Shimmering” is another low key track built around the fine bass and drums of Örnborg and Carlsson. “Bloodline Fever” is slightly more up tempo at the start, but features mellow vocal harmonies and very fluid rhythms as Bohlin trades notes with Söder. “Mr. Uninvited” opens with a spoken passage followed by Bolhin’s somewhat plodding vocal line that contrasts nicely with light keyboard phrasings and Söder’s harmony vocals. “My Darkness, Darkness” starts with twangy, brassy (almost C&W) guitars before morphing into a light and mellow rocker – one of the first tracks where Bohlin breaks out of his whisper delivery. “Atmosphere” is a bit murky and dark, with an almost Alternative Rock groove to it.
“Highwayman” has a heavier feel to it thanks to a fine bass line, and the tempo finally takes an up turn on the mid-paced “The Ingredients” – a track that displays Söder’s voice well. “One Last Call” is a confusing song, with Goth themes and lyrics delivered over a hard rock rhythm line and alternative rock tuned bass & drums – but that mix of styles makes it the most memorable song on the album. “Darksome” has an old-school rock sound thanks to mixed acoustics and electrics, and a neat synth line. “The Symbol” is a mid-tempo rocker that ties the album up neatlly.
My Darkness, Darkness will appeal to fans of the Gothic genres. It is a well done, polished release that puts the musical talents and ambitions of Beseech on full display. However, fans looking for something more upbeat or lively will likely be worn out by Bohlin’s near vampiric whispered vocals, the overall sluggish tempo of the tracks, and the overriding black mood. While the album holds itself together very well and presents a truly cohesive sound, a bit more variety in at least tempo would have been welcome – and more mic time for Angelina Sahlgren Söder would have spiced things up and broadened the album’s appeal.
Beseech’s My Darkness, Darkness is recommended for fans of Gothic Rock, but its appeal will not reach very far beyond the Gothic core.
Genre: Gothic Rock
Band:
Klas Bohlin (vocals)
Angelina Sahlgren Söder (vocals)
Robert Vintervind (guitar)
Manne Engström (guitar)
Johan Örnborg (bass)
Håkan Carlsson (drums)
Track Listing:
1. Beating Pulse
2. The Shimmering
3. Bloodline Fever
4. Mr. Uninvited
5. My Darkness, Darkness
6. Atmosphere
7. Highwayman
8. The Ingredients
9. One Last Call
10. Darksome
11. The Symbol
Label: Despotz Records
Website: www.beseech.se
Hardrock Haven rating: 7/10
