Nails embedded in charred earth, Solunar Records’ Blood of the Beloved emerge, unchained and unhinged with their phenomenal new EP, Benevolence and Brutality.

Inspired by the sounds of bands like Slipknot, Mushroomhead, and touching upon the noise of Trap metal and old-school Thrash, this EP gives us a taste of feral energy, and passion with Nu metal flair and industrial influence.

Immediately ramping up the energy with their opening track “M.F. Underground” The old-school Thrash takes the forefront with Corey Taylor-like vocals mixed in. It’s quick-hitting track at just over two-minutes in length, and gives listeners a sampling that’s sure to pull them into the EP’s full depth.

“Your Problem” offers up a unique mix, pulling up with 90’s rap influence and sound, rounded out by intense lyrics growled right into our face. It showcases a bit of BotB‘s niche style, and their ability to switch gears from bludgeoning metal to light, head-bopping rap without skipping a beat. Catchy and almost hypnotizing, it might catch listeners off guard but, it’s a track worth checking out!

“Eidolon” dives right back into the metal. Giving me some early System of a Down flavour and flashiness with the riff work, this track gets into a fine mix of heavy metal and animalistic instinct. With raw, undefined vocal power and fiery riff work, this track slides in so casually yet keeps the intensity from ever truly winding down.

…Which perfectly works itself into “Letting Go“.

This track, with its stark lyrics like “the toxic rain corrupts the soil,” gives us a blend of simple yet perfectly executed lyrical dynamic with that Mushroomhead beat. An easy favourite for the new and old listeners, this track is BotB exposed; offering the power and passion they commit to with each and every release. From bombshell breakdowns to ear-shattering screams, this track was an easy re-listen and immediate playlist staple for my own daily rotation.

“Voodoo Doll” once again goes that niche route, with story-like patterns and catchy sound. It’s a teaser that lures in with ease, giving me bits of Powerman 5000 in its vibes. I love the calm bass lines and the crazy vocal transitions that appeal to the band’s ever-shifting momentum. It goes hard, with vicious definition and melody yet, captivates with a slow-dance appetizer and intriguing quip. BotB is just, quite simply, built differently.

“All the Hate” hits HARD. Giving us the classic heavy metal introduction, we quickly hit that trap beat and the intensity goes full tilt. The level of aggression on this track grants us the full side of ‘brutality’ offering up an infectious beat that’s to die for. It’s speedy and torrential, with that head-banging vocal range and a bass line that hits you right in the throat. Easily my favourite of the EP, it’s hard to just let this one go by without going feral on first listen.

The EP’s finale comes on “Left Behind” that takes that metal foundation and has it take over. It moves up the scale from the previous track’s bass but keeps the same strength in its core. Touching upon the ‘benevolence’ with Korn-like pause, this track doesn’t hit lightly for a closure but asks us to go absolutely insane one final time. Utilizing undeniable skill in their way to seamlessly blend cool lows with blazing highs, BotB ensure listeners get absolutely pummelled in the end.

The overall feel of this EP is unshakably secure. With a confidence to blend texture and sound, Blood of the Beloved take Benevolence and Brutality into definition and offer it up for listeners without a bit of worry. It’s a well-curated mix of inspirations and desire that’s indisputably showcased through each and every track. From “M.F. Underground” and its thrash roots to the macabre ritual underlying “Voodoo Doll“, Blood of the Beloved strides forward on unwavering confidence that’s not only admirable but all too intriguing to ignore.

Check out Benevolence and Brutality from Solunar Records’ Blood of the Beloved available now on most streaming platforms.

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