BE

The first two tracks were rather informative, setting you up for the story. Of course, being a concept album, you'd hope for a little background to what you were going to listen to. I am not saying that the tracks were a waste. They were fun to actually hear. Wonder how someone can come up with these thoughts. What drives someone to make an album on such an interesting subject? Track one, Anime Partus, asks in so many different ways, "What are we?" Track two; Deus Nova states how many people populated the world during certain years, with guitar backing it. It gets you interested.

The next track, Imago, was very folkish. I enjoy the folk from time to time, and this was one song I could enjoy. Gildenlow's vocals behind a lovely flute actually are appealing to me. (Maybe not you, but it is to me) It isn't really an aggressive song. It reminds you of prancing, naked women . . . once again, maybe it's just me. The outro is thunder . . . Ooh!

Pluvius Aestivus, has a soft piano introduction, which slowly builds up with violins in the background. It is a slow, melodic, and beautiful tune. No singing, just beauty. Ends abruptly though and suddenly, Nauticus is born.

Opening with guitar and Daniel's low vocals, the entire song gives a sad and solemn sound. Nothing much to say with it. It doesn't really go anywhere but samples. Really.

Dae Pecuniae is very funky. Sounds like something from Ark's, Burn the Sun album. Fretless bass sounds completely drive this song . . . though it might just be me, being a bass player, enjoying bass. Also, note the female orgasms in the background. Why? Because they are always interesting to hear. The song still keeps it's folkish theme from the previous tracks, but also keeps rocking. At parts, it reminds me of a gospel song. It's fun . . . even though I'm not into gospel music. I tried to find who did the backing vocals in the song (which was some woman) but alas, no success yet. Then again, with Gildenlow's extreme vocal range, maybe it was him? It was refreshing to hear though after all of the hymns and little chatting going on from the previous tracks.

Vocari Dei is a series of voices questioning God. Talking to God. On his answering machine. Yes. I said it. Asking, "Why should I pray?" and "Why did those towers have to fall?" It is all behind a lil' guitar solo. It's set up for you to saw "Awww" for four minutes.

Diffidentia first impression on me was, "At last, a heavy song . . . an actual song!" We hear the distorted guitar play the same chords over for four minutes, along with raspy vocals by Gildenlow. Not bad . . . quite repetitive though. It breaks into an interlude with that sexy fretless bass, and strings galore. It's very peaceful. The choir jumps in with Dan's crying vocals to give another look at 'gospel music.' Then bam, just when it got good, the songs over.

We get a dark guitar intro in Nihil Morari which is complete opposite of what we've heard the entire album. Violins in the background of course give it that 'epic' feel. Shortly after, the song picks up-tempo and you get into the album again. If you know your PoS, they started that "bridge" where there is the musical interlude and samples play behind it. It seems to be their trademark . . . that and perfection, but we can tackle that another day. Suddenly, you're taken back to track two. They are continuing where they left off in Deus Nova. A few more samples are played, and the song is done. The first four minutes were enjoyable, but then you're left with, "Now what the hell do I do?"

Latericius Valete. Ah. A sexy guitar/piano interlude . . . and they continue with courting the world's population.

Omni, started off with what sounded like a news report on cancer, and then the organ filled the song with Dan singing all high pitched. Gospel-like again. I'm starting to get a theme here . . .

The next song, Iter Impius, was actually like PoS' older songs. It was great to listen too. It was, shall I say, an actual song compared to the rest of their stuff. Very refreshing to hear. It was beautiful.

Another song to stand out! Martius / Nauticus II, was another great, brilliant song with reprises from previous tracks. This album just made a turn for the better. Oh wait, only one track left . . .

The final track, Animae Partus II, has the phrase "I am . . ." then a heartbeat carry on for four minutes to hear a girl say, "There's room for all of God's creatures. Right next to the mashed potatoes."

Well then. For my big conclusion:

How about I give you a quick glimpse on the story? It revolved around this man named Mr. Money, who spends all of his wealth on Cryobiology. He is frozen (cryogenically of course) and is not revived until he is made Immortal. When he awakens, he realizes no one is left in the world. Why? Because no one else chose immortality because of the state the world was in. (The world was being destroyed by man's quest to understand life and profit from it.)

Now that you know that, here's my final thought:

If you're looking for a metal album, another The Perfect Element, this is NOT it. This is completely a straight rock-orchestra. Very ambient. (But with WAY too many samples) At first I was really opposed to the album. It was nothing that I expected. At all. But for some reason, I continue to be drawn back to it. That is, to the tracks that are actually songs. Few songs are really amazing on this album (and I use that term loosely. PoS has WAY better music) but the tracks that are on there are addictive. I am going to give it a 7.5 out of 10 because of two reasons. There was very little actual music on the album. I want songs, not samples. I have the Internet for that information thank you. The second reason is because with what songs they did have, a lot of them went no-where. They were just little melodies. I know that they aren't that bad to have, but your Pain of Fucking Salvation, not Agalloch or Ambeon. Fix that.

Be definitely was not a disappointment, but it wasn't something I really am into. I'm talking about the album as a whole. When I listen to this again, I'll be pulling certain tracks to listen to, that's about it. I'm sticking with my One Hour By Concrete Lake and The Perfect Element.

Now we still wait for A Perfect Element II . . .

-Derek Smith (www.noofficialcapacity.net)

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