Album review: BEYOND THE BLACK – Break the Silence

Nuclear Blast [Release date 09.01.26]

Amazingly Beyond the Black have been around since 2014 and this is their sixth album, although to this recent convert tit seems like they only started out a few years ago!

Beyond the Black’s line-up has been the same since 2016 with founder member, vocalist Jennifer Haben, joined by Chris Hermsdörfer (lead guitar, backing vocals), Tobi Lodes (rhythm guitar, backing vocals) and drummer Kai Tschierschky.

‘Break the Silence’ is a melodic metal concept album with ethno influences, exploring the themes of communication, inner strength, resilience and the urgent need to reconnect in a divided world. A tall order perhaps, but not for a band of Beyond the Black’s calibre as the upbeat opener ‘Rising High’ proves. A classic example of how to create catchy and memorable melodic metal, with a meaningful lyrical theme.

The title track sees the symphonic side of the band come to the fore – like a female fronted Kamelot. Jennifer Haben has a powerful and melodious vocal, perfect for this style of metal.

The album has many stand outs, none more so than ‘The Art of Being Alone’, which features Lord of the Lost, another artist who are the upward curve of their musical journey. He adds a suitably gothic air to the song.

The Mystery of the Bulgarian Voices add their vocals to ‘Let There Be Rain’, which takes Beyond the Black into world music territory.

One of the pre-release songs, ‘Ravens’, is a beautifully crafted ballad with a soaring chorus and just enough guitar heaviness to keep it metal! The vocal on this one is stunning. To be honest, the whole album is of a high standard, with the cinematic sweep of ‘(La Vie Est Un) Cinéma’ sounding superb on the headphones. Keep them on definitely for ‘Weltschmerz’, which highlights the lighter side of the band and provides an uplifting end to the album, as ‘Rising High’ provided at the start.

Liking the electro effects on ‘The Flood’, which along with ‘Rising High’, you can see becoming firm live favourites as both are up on your feet, punch the air anthems.

Beyond the Black meet their own high expectations and will continue their rise to the top of the melodic/symphonic metal tree with this excellent album. ****

Review by Jason Ritchie

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Power Plays w/c 1 December 2025

We feature all the artists selected in this sequence in 2025.

Featured Albums w/c 1 December 2025

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Singer Songwriter)

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