Reasons Behind – Architecture Of An Ego
Release Date: 26th May 2023
Label: Scarlet Records
Bandcamp
Genre: EDM, Modern Metal, Dark Pop, Trance.
FFO: Amaranthe, Lacuna Coil, Delain, Temperance, Edge of Paradise, Sci-Fi.
Review By: Mark Waight
Modern Metal is a genre where the boundaries are constantly being expanded, and what was once purely the bastion of denim and leather clad fans is now opening doors to a whole new fanbase with music that is as equally at home in a dance club as it is in any mosh-pit!
Reasons Behind are leading pioneers in this genre smashing field with their unique brand of Electro Dance Metal where traditional heavy metal riffs fuse with catchy trance vibes, dark pop melodies and Sci-fi. Architecture of an Ego is a fitting title for a band who are indeed one of the architects and builders of this super cool modern metal movement that is not only so sweet on the ears but is equally visually beautiful to watch in superbly futuristic movie like videos.
Reasons Behind is Elisa Bonafe (vocals), Gabriele Sapori (guitars, Keyboards and programming), Michele Cavalca (bass) and Andrea Gambini (drums).
Zero Dawn is a short melodic electronic introduction to the dystopian world of Reasons Behind’s vision that leads us nicely into The Fall of Human Race, a heavy riffing song with a red-hot pace and some supercharged guitar work.
A New Breed is a vocally spectacular track which offers up multiple layers of Elisa Bonafe’s pinpoint vocals that is guaranteed to grab your attention and get those feet tapping!
Faster than light track Into the Break of a Better Day is an upbeat track that just about nails it in terms of being equally as much a mosh-pit or dance floor pleaser, with just about the right amount of intensity to be both. Glow sticks or air guitar, you choose.
Heart Begins to Break is a superb sing-along anthem with an authentic clubland air to it whilst still maintaining that Metal core at the heart of the music. Clever stuff!
The Phantom Pain is a vocally haunting track with a much stronger metal theme to it, the focus on hard bass with just a dash of lead guitar is sublime and hence my favourite off the album. Seas of Grey has a beautiful depth to the music due to some fantastic mixing which generates something to not only showcase the superb talent Reasons Behind have but is ear nectar of the sweetest kind.
I3 is a banger of a song where guest vocalists Steva of Deathless Legacy and Grace Darkling of Nocturna (both bands I adore) add something truly special to the party with a heady cocktail of the three voices delivering some glitz! Rocktabulous!
Penultimate offering The Flame Inside is a Modern Metal classic through and through and gifts us a super tight band performance whilst still giving a nod to the EDM that Reasons Behind play so well!
Our journey to Reasons Behinds futuristic world ends with the vocally perfect Letter to the last of Us, which for me highlights what a great artist Elisa Bonafe is and how much passion and emotion she puts into everything she sings. What a great finale!
Architecture of an Ego is a great album that plays out like a short story and is worthy of a listen by anyone who loves all that modern metal has to offer, or indeed by any traditionalists out there who are not afraid of change and open to new and fresh ideas! Give it Ego! Architecture of an Ego is a thoroughly enjoyable experience and when Reasons Behind take it on the road it’s going to be quite the spectacle to see when the lasers and light show are added to the experience. I, for one, will be looking to get tickets.
(4 / 5)
