Last time we met Bekor Qilish, the one-man show was the thrashened epitome of what we like to call “Voidhanger-core:” black metal with a penchant for riffs, wonky rhythms, and a healthy slathering of dissonance. Honing in on a completely alien sound tossed with reckless abandon and a healthy amount of lighthearted fun, Throes of Death from the Dreamed Nihilism nonetheless suffered from a lack of surefire direction, just kinda bouncing around wonky dissonance and neat riffs for the hell of it – except for closer “Wretched Dawn,” which patiently stitched together an evocative dissonant experience of devastation and contemplation. Over a year later, we are greeted with its follow-up, The Flesh of a New God.
While largely the same format, thrashy dissonant black metal with dissonance and blackened shenanigans that run rampant, Bekor Qilish already feels more direct and more powerful. The Flesh of a New God is still as batshit crazy as its predecessor, but armed with a full band, mastermind lyricist and vocalist-on-synths Andrea Bruzzone instead balances out his penchant for riffs with heartfelt melody. While it still does not ascend to an elite status no thanks to uneven songwriting and influences, as well as a protracted runtime, it is an all-around better release from the thrashened black act, full of bouncy riffs, wonky rhythms, crystalline ambiance, and an ear for melody and dissonance alike.
Bekor Qilish’s two new weapons are the more prominent synths that recall the retro crystalline quality of Limbonic Art, as well as a melodic palette that contrasts mightily with the scathing dissonance. The front half features this nice dichotomy, tracks like “Defaced Background,” “Unobtainable Transformations,” and “Unearthly Dominion” feel like neatly balanced riff-fests that feature middle passages of soaring melody through its synths and plucking that feel like heart peaking through the jagged alien viciousness. “Enshrouding Wrath” drags riffs to the earth with a death metal focus, downtuned tremolo bringing a sense of gravity and menace. “Infinite Self-Reflecting Circles” is a black/thrash banger that bounces into a jazzy saxophone portion that recalls Imperial Triumphant’s decadence, ending in a Limbonic Art-inspired ambient dirge. “The Flesh of Terror” is a culmination of the album’s lethal qualities, the best riffs kicking down the door, while doomy sections and quieter rhythmic pulses give it a powerful dynamic. Bekor Qilish’s full band suits it better, feeling fuller and well-rounded, allowing more layers while retaining its limber and bouncy trademark.
While all around better than Throes of Death from a Dreamed Nihilism, Bekor Qilish nonetheless suffers from old habits with The Flesh of a New God. Each track is given a refreshed sense of purpose through melodic, jazzy, or other experimental breadth, but the lopsided nature of the album lessens its impact. The heartfelt melody graces the first three tracks, creating a pretense but only appearing in sporadic flashes elsewhere, while jazz and doom pop out of nowhere. Interlude “Unaware Gods” doesn’t feel like an interlude until you hit the end, as it just features a longwinded riff and synth structure that goes nowhere, a trend that continues in closer “Beggars,” which is just plucking and drums for too long. Perhaps Bekor Qilish’s biggest flaw is that, like the debut, there is little in their sophomore effort that sticks. It benefits from its more lighthearted riffy and thrashy approach to dissonant black just like its predecessor, but only portions of “The Flesh of Terror” stick with me once “Beggars” closes.
While overall a better experience than Throes of Death… in fuller experimentation and greater purpose, Bekor Qilish is nonetheless held back by its inconsistencies and other old habits. It’s a fun combination of dissonant black and black/thrash with a tastefully arrhythmic edge, but in spite of its uniqueness, it feels in one ear and out the other: Voidhanger-core ear candy. It is another step in the right direction, kickass riffs, neat melody, and a barbed edge combining for a wild ride, but only a little is memorable.
Rating: 3.0/5.0
DR: 8 | Format Reviewed: 256 kbps mp3
Label: I, Voidhanger Records
Website: facebook.com/bekor.qilish
Releases Worldwide: September 22nd, 2023
