Behölder just released a new single today (which also includes an amazing ode to a Savatage classic), and I realize I am WAY overdue reviewing their debut album released back in April of this year.

Have you ever had the experience where you discover a new band, really like what you hear, and keep thinking, man, that vocalist sure reminds me of someone? I stumbled across “In the Temple of the Tyrant,” the debut from US melodic doom / power metal band Behölder, and fell in love instantly. The more I listened, the more I kept thinking that the vocalist reminded me of Judicator’s John Yelland. Imagine my surprise when I finally looked into it and discovered John is indeed the vocalist! His vocals have a distinct sound that I have always loved, and they translate so well to this genre, with an even more haunting bent to his massive yet emotive approach. This is fantastic, faster paced, melodic doom metal infused with elements of power metal, bringing to mind (at least for me) a collision amongst bands like Candlemass, Solitude Aeturnus, and Iced Earth. The riffs are powerful and crushing, the drums commanding, the leadwork epic, and the vocals massive, painting a doomy canvas that is dark, melodic, and sounds absolutely monstrous. Each of the 8 songs is over 5 minutes, with many clocking in over 6, creating the right atmosphere and taking you on a Dungeons & Dragons themed adventure that never wears out its welcome.

Things kick off with “A Pale Blood Sky,” which is epic melodic doom at its finest. It hits you at a driving pace, perfectly blending in a power metal feel with the dominant doom sound. It is the perfect opener and epitomizes what is in store, with its thrash-like doomy riffing and drumming, great guitar leads, and driving bombastic vocal attack. This song reminds me of a blend of Candlemass and Iced Earth, which is quite the amazing recipe!

“Dungeon Crawl” continues the driving doom pace while sprinkling in plenty of guitar lead. Yelland’s vocals are more punchy and raspy, but the middle section treats you to a bigger, almost choral like quality that makes the melodies sound even more powerful and memorable. “Into the Underdark” starts with a plodding doom feel, utilizing faster rhythms within a slower tempo to add to the heavy factor, before picking up the pace and blazing ahead, then reprising the original pace with a blast at the end. The vocals are emotive and big, the guitar leads are exceptional, and the bass and drums are pounding. It is definitely a standout track.

“Eyes of the Deep” could almost be a slower more somber Judicator song the way it starts, just with a much doomier feel. I really love the song structure and use of dynamic and tempo changes. Yelland’s vocals are absolutely massive on this song, with some earworm melodies. The haunting choir section with John over the top in the middle of the song is an awesome transition that really sets the mood before a nice surprise late: the very recognizable snarl of Amorphis’ Tomi Joutsen entering the fray, adding a death doom element to the song. It adds incredible depth and texture to the Behölder sound, and I would love to hear the band incorporate even more of this. Just listen to the incredible back and forth between the two vocalists to close the song out! This may be my favorite song on the album.

“For Those Who Fell” could almost be a lost track from Judicator’s “The Majesty of Decay.” It comes off as a sllghtly proggy doomy power ballad, with Yelland’s emotive vocals evoking a haunting feel, while the song does a nice job balancing a slower melancholic pace ebbing and flowing to crushing riffs. “Draconian (Slave or Master)” is back to the mid-paced melodic doom feel, with a memorable chorus, an incredible extended late guitar solo, and an all around crushing atmosphere. “Summoned & Bound” is more straightforward with a narrative lyrical approach, adding a dramatic flair that flows into crushing closing track “I Magus.” The instruments are pointed and rhythmic, featuring hefty guitar riffs and commanding leads, pounding drums and bass, and melodic vocals with shouted gang vocals sprinkled in, with smart use of dynamic changes. I find it impossible not to headbang to the infectious rhythm, and the song closes out in grandiose form.

I thoroughly enjoyed this album and strongly recommend it. And though I didn’t formally review the new single + Savatage cover, they are also amazing. Behölder clearly is going strong, and I am already excited for more material from them. You owe it to yourself to check them out. Now I just need to figure out how to see them live!

Original Instagram review Part 1
Original Instagram review Part 2
Original Instagram review Part 3