First things first: listen to Beyul on Bandcamp.
Beyul is more or less a continuation of Yakuza's last album, structurally, at least. Minus the intro track, the album's songs basically follow the same pattern as those on Of Seismic Consequence.
Musically, the album starts with the transformation that took place between Transmutations and Of Seismic Consequence. There was a pronounced emphasis on clean vocals, which has increased here. This can be positive or negative, depending on the song and melodic line. "The Last Day" combines the softer, more contemplative side of the band with the crunching riffs and soaring vocals. The arrangement twists around unexpectedly, making it a fresh listen each time around.
Two of the tracks are noticeably shorter and exhibit more punk or grindcore influence. These stand in opposition to the rest of the record, which can get a bit grandiose. That said, I appreciate the progressive nature of Yakuza's music. They have a unique take on avant-garde metal, saxophone and all. Sure, it's easy to point to the saxophone and say that's what separates them from the pack. Maybe it does. But honestly, the band writes great songs.
There's also a bit in "Man Is Machine" where the band outdoes pretty much every doom band I've ever heard. Just after the intro, there's a massive slowdown as the vocals come in. Whatever metaphor you might think of for something so slow and almost painful to listen to (masochistically, of course), this part of the song embodies it.
I would classify Beyul as a step forward for the band, despite the similarities to the last album. They continue to refine their attack and get better. Underrated.
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