Review: “Equilibrium” by Besra

“There was some material left over from the last album that we decided not to release. At the same time, we felt that new ideas were bubbling up, so we tore open those old drafts and composed new material alongside them. This created a continuation that felt right following the album, and at the same time, it points towards a slightly darker Besra, which is where we seem to be right now. While the previous album took nearly five years to refine, we decided to take a more straightforward approach with this EP and intentionally composed the tracks on a fast schedule to challenge the endless overthinking that’s been a part of our band. The tight production schedule caused some anxiety, but it also brought a new kind of creativity and unity; we had to trust our intuition and each other’s ideas more than ever. In the end, the EP was completed in five months instead of five years, which is probably some kind of record for us. A certain straightforwardness can also be heard in the sound – this material is likely less progressive but all the more intense and darker.” ~ Johannes Nygård, guitars

Mixed and mastered by Magnus Lindberg (Cult of Luna, Russian Circles, Converge), a new record from Finnish Progressive Post-Metal band Besra promises a darker and more intense experience compared to their last album “Transitions” which was released just a year ago. In truth, not only does it fulfil that promise but it also offers a more refined and yet heavier sound for the band, who have been a growing concern since 2015 and feature in their ranks former members of Draconia, Watch Me Fall, Callisto and Pulse. Are we saying they’re maturing like a fine wine? We’ll leave you to be the judge, jury and executioner on that one…

…A fleeting dream like introduction and delicate first verse “An Omen Of…” may lull you into a false sense of security before the throat scratching uncleans from Hannes Hietarinta rise from the black depths. As ever they feel desperate and emotive with that Post-Hardcore tinged quality to them offering stark contrast to the warm clean backing vocals from Mika Mäkilaakso. The melodic and melancholy soundscape is lush, the track in many ways mirroring the harsh beauty of nature while the lyrical narrative is one you can really make your own. It maybe deeper than the Marianna trench but it still has a wonderful fierceness and focus. A musing on the end of days, “The Final Hour” is enriched by a spoken word and curiously enough it might have actually worked better as the opening cut. Once again the textures of the soundscape are so beautiful they’re mesmerising to the point of hypnosis.

Naturally the title track finds those harsh unclean vocals coming back into play and there are obvious comparisons to recent works by Hundred Year Old Man or Helve as it plays out. What works incredibly well is the lack of meandering without purpose; everything is written to be urgent and dynamic, each note and melody hitting you like the waves of a stormy sea crashing upon the shore. Introducing more of a Progressive Sludge Metal orientated riff means “End of the Horizon” is a little more powerful with its opening divergence before fading off into a dull ache of melody. As the riffs fade, so do the vocals, from gritty and harsh to clean and delicate before the band build the mountain once more in truly captivating fashion. You can’t help but get drawn into these songs, the powerful chord progressions and nuanced keys creating a dark pool that resisting diving into is near impossible [8/10]

1. An Omen Of…
2. The Final Hour
3. Equilibrium
4. End of the Horizon

“Equilibrium” by Besra is out 1st November 2024 via Suicide Records