| CD REVIEW Bewized |
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Band : Bewized With the Groove Metal/ Metalcore 4-piece Bewized we again turn our heads and minds towards the Mediterranean area, more specifically to Greece's Thessaloniki. Formed in 2007, the current line-up includes original members Paschalis (lead vocals, guitars) and Pantazis Theotokis (bass), completed by lead guitarist Orestis Georgiadis (whom supplanted Theodoris Papadopoulos in 2010) and drummer Kostis Tatsis (did the same with Giorgos Gafridis in 2009). With the original line-up the band recorded the 5-track EP Carved Upon Your Bones, which they self-released in January of 2008. Although garnering the band positive response from the media, the EP was really only a try-out from a band still looking for their proper means of musical expression, one they only found the means for with the addition of the new members. So, with the new members firmly in place, and having rehearsed the music that had been written until that time, the foursome went into Thessaloniki's Noise Factory Studios, where they recorded 10 new songs and a reworked version of their EP's opening song “Sober” with Christian Rahm recording but Paschalis again producing the efforts. In November the band inked a deal with UK label Casket Music/ Copro Records for the worldwide release of the album...and that's how it eventually ended up in my to-do box. In the info sheet that came along with the promo copy of the album, it is said that Bewized forged its own sound, taking influence from “...the New Wave Of American Heavy Metal vulgarly imprinted by pioneering acts such as Machine Head and Lamb Of God, along with Metalcore influences from Trivium and Killswitch Engage...”! Sound nice on paper, doesn't it? But do Bewized also deliver? Hell yeah they do! Upon a basis of steady and pounding bass and drums, the intertwining lead and rhythm guitars shred through the whole with an appalling melodic and even somewhat progressive feel in a style which is both Thrash and Death, and sees the Metalcore influences mainly in the lead parts. Occasionally a second lead guitar is thrown in, and every once in a while one even hears a nicely atmospheric keyboard line. On top of it all come the versatile vocals (although a kind of barfed aggressive one is used mainly, there's also cleaner passages, and even a whispered one)...with interesting lyrics to boot, describing the different aspects of human nature, personal struggles and coping with such things as death, social disparity, addiction, and higher ideals. A combination of all making for a hugely appreciable and enjoyable album, which crept its way into my year-lists even before I'd finished first listening session. Around the same as signing their album to Casket Music/ Copro, the band recorded its first official video clip for the album's track “Laceration Of Innocence” under directional guidance from Bob Katsionis (see also Nightrage, Rotting Christ, Suicidal Angels – also rhythm guitarist/ keyboard player for the likes of Firewind, Revolution Renaissance and Outloud...other bands he's played with include Casus Belli, Fatal Morgana, Power Quest, Imagery, Septic Flesh, Imagery, and others...and he's also guested with some other bands). Thanks to the video being picked up by several video hosts (both in Greece, Spain, the US and Holland) and the band's music being played on (also online) radio stations in Greece, the UK, and US, the band now sees a global recognition and exposure...which I dearly hope will translate in album sales. Because the band's worth it! Hey, with the aforementioned year-list nomination come a nice rating, right!? 98/100 Tony. |
