Review | Worlds Beyond – Rhapsody of Life

Independent Release

The highly anticipated second studio album `Rhapsody of Life’ of Worlds Beyond is an insanely ambitious and captivating journey pawing into the human experiences and life evolution. This Belgian symphonic metal outfit has crafted a conceptual pinnacle exploring the depths of human emotion and intrinsic growth intertwined with the complexities of life itself.

The album’s title, `Rhapsody of Life’, aptly describes the musical odyssey that awaits listeners. Worlds Beyond’s signature blend of powerful instrumentation and compelling storytelling is on full display, offering fans an unforgettable experience. Weaving intricate narratives and compelling storylines into their music Worlds Beyond submerges their listeners into the realms of the mind with spiritual ecstasy.

THE EXPLORATION OF THE HUMAN CONDITION

`Rhapsody Of Life’ showcases the band’s evolution as musicians and storytellers. The gripping stronghold the lyrical content has on the musical exploration of themes is downright majestic. The album features a diverse range of tracks, contributing to the overarching theme of human existence. Songs like the progressive pitched ,,Breaking Free’’ and the adventurously constructed epic metal hymn ,,Beyond Reality’’ are intense highlights with bold musical prowess and lyrical depth. At its core, the exploration of the human condition enables the band to create sonic outlines with intense mastery.

The album takes listeners on a journey through various stages and aspects of life, touching on themes of resilience, hope, and the indomitable human spirit. This conceptual approach allows Worlds Beyond to delve into complex emotional territories, offering listeners a chance to reflect on their own experiences through the lens of the music. Elemental ethereal moments slowly meander onto rough terrain while Valerie’s soprano vocals radiating confidence and stride. Touching more frail registers, the music wells with melancholy and energizes different levels of consciousness.

A SYMPHONIC METAL SOUND

The interplay of guitarist Tijmen Matthys with keyboard player Robbe Adriaens is on point with the song’s demands and creates a sonic foundation for Jacob Declercq’s wailing violin and heavy’d up strings. The stretched weeping notes are extending Tijmen’s guitar notes and intensify the musical density to the extreme. ,,Unwind our Story” reverberates with jagged passages and an Eddie van Halen like opening licks, before griming up towards its melancholic vocal sections. It displays the band’s creative skills and Tijmen’s arranging abilities mixing up heavy and symphonic.

The band’s commitment to creating a symphonic metal sound that is both heavy and melodic is evident throughout the album. With bass player Ewoud Dekoninck and drummer Wout Debacker, Worlds Beyond claws deep into the progressive dynamics of the genre and maintains the musical versatility that marks genre greats. Just check out the staccato opening ,,Familiar Skies” with its blend of orchestral elements and bass prowess supporting the storming riffs. This integration hard-hitting guitar riffs and its heavy foundation underneath the band’s orchestral arrangements and symphonic elements creates a rich, textured soundscape that serves as the perfect backdrop for the album’s weighty themes.

With Valerie pitching her angelic vocals atop, the song balances a very fine line, with the violin weeping and the guitar solo igniting the song’s finale. Another wonderful track is ,,Enchantment” with its powerful time changes and gigantic hooks, built around its biting sharp guitar melodies. Valerie pitches her clean soprano vocals over the spawning melodies when violin and guitar hook align with her vocal melody midway. The solo pitches notes and dazzles with wonderful construction.

THE PRODUCTION OF `RHAPSODY OF LIFE’

The production quality of `Rhapsody of Life’ is top-notch, with each instrument given space to shine while contributing to the overall sonic tapestry. Its transparency enables them to gear up for spiraling pompous elements set free upon the listener, further enhancing the experience of words and tone. The band’s ability to balance heavy metal elements with more delicate, introspective moments showcases their musical maturity and versatility. ,,Sleepless Dreams” is a statement for Valerie’s vocal versatility, pawing deep in the emotional richness of her register. Supporting piano and violins paint a frailty that grips immediately. Gradually building momentum, the song unleashes piercing emotions. Reversing its musical structure ,,The Calling” hits a tad heavier before diminishing with subtle keys and an intensely emotional guitar solo. The chorus and choirs are powerful with Valerie’s piercing highs contrasting with the recurrence of the harmonized choir chants.

The enchanting elements are prominent in ,,The Spark”, that is built around enormous hooks with medieval toned guitar licks and waltzing violin chords morphing classical. Pushing the envelope, the band unites its classical weeping violin with impressive meandering string arrangements and atmospheric guitars. The bass growls low and Tijmen’s solo is jaw dropping beautiful. Dosing an exact amount of wailing emotion, his guitar finds a counterpart in Declercq’s emotive violin, fusing notes with towering precision. Topped off by Valerie’s pitched vocals, the song meanders on impressive melodies, nesting immediately. Goosebumps!

AN EPIC GRAND FINALE

Linking the intensity of ,,The Spark”, ,,One with the Stars” dances on wonderful and subtle orchestration. The violin harmonized into a weeping section, while piano drizzles in the notes replacing the guitar. Towering is its unleash of power with the vocals pitching higher and the guitar at the helm to steer into heavier territory. It is the right kick to ignite the spark for the epic grand finale of the title track. The song unravels as a summary of the albums content with highly cinematic pieces and narration. Heavier and more densely orchestrated, the song is a 10-minute epic unfolding the themes of the record displaying the lifecycle of human existence, facing challenges enhancing uniform growth of the collectiveness in humankind.

The song traverses an ethereal sub note rooted spiritual. Its resonance is blend in the rich texture, challenging Nightwish’ most epic tracks of their last 2 albums. Medieval musical elements appear to bridge gaps of centuries in mankind’s growth and evolution.

WORLDS BEYOND – THE CONCLUSION

The album’s conceptual nature lends itself well to a visually and emotionally engaging live show, potentially elevating the status of Worlds Beyond in the symphonic metal scene. Being performed in its entire in collaboration with the symphonic orchestra Zanglust on their album release shows, `Rhapsody of Life’ will reveal its true magnitude. Worlds Beyond is shaping up with this new defining album. It represents a giant leap forward in their musical journey, offering listeners a profound and immersive experience transcending the boundaries of typical metal albums. The anticipation continues to build for what could be one of the standout metal releases of the year. Homerun!

The album, with its wonderful artwork of a woman’s head opened with an abstract and technological approach of memories and experiences gathered in her life, also comes as a limited gatefold 2LP vinyl edition on tastefully aligned (off) while wax.

Release date: 31 January 2025