Belle Morte – Pearl Hunting
Belle Morte – Pearl Hunting
WormHoleDeath
24/01/2025
Review by Oli Gonzalez
8/10
It’s 2025 now, 5 years since the horror show that was the global pandemic and the world seemingly screeching to a halt. This however created new opportunities for some, including the Belle Morte project, as online collaboration seemed like the only realistic option to create music without physically being in the same building or face to face. This led to a project that, at the time, was very much in its infancy, with an EP to its name but one with a clear Dark Symphonic spine to it. The aforementioned online collaboration led to the influx of various musical textures and flavours from Peru, Eastern Europe, and as far as Mongolia. Hence the band’s upcoming album “Pearl Hunting” is as figurative as it is literal, uncovering the pearls from each of these musical cultures. How will they manifest on record? Let’s find out…
This is everything you’d expect from a Symphonic Metal album, and more! The lead vocals are equally as soothing and aesthetic as they are powerful! They are complimented nicely by some deeper and slightly more aggressive male vocals in an admirable beauty and the beast approach (check out some fierce growls in ‘Jorogumo’ and ‘Krew’ later in the album too to really hammer home this point) Blazing lead guitar solos and chunky rhythms? Belle Morte have this down a tee!
The use of more traditional Folk instrumentation adds a unique flavour to the band, as promised. Examples of this are prominent in the intros for ‘Exorcism’ and ‘Blame Me’, with the use of what appears to be a harp and a fiddle respectfully (please somebody correct me if I’ve not correctly identified the instruments, though the press release does provide an extensive list).
To be truthful, I thought the album got off to a fairly slow start. However, I became engrossed in the thoroughly enjoyable Prog wormhole during ‘Blame Me’, when the band decided to defy typical song structures and time signatures to just throw in a seemingly random Prog breakdown. I’m glad I came for that!
Things slow down for the lip quivering sentimental ballad that is ‘Wintersleep’. Now it’s either the wonderful pipe melody, the addictive and instantly memorable ear worm of the chorus, or overall sheer cavernous emotional depth that will make you want to come back for more! Though this somehow becomes even slower and more emotional during ‘Black Water’. I think I’ll need to spend some time studying the song’s lyrics as I’m now becoming invested in the overall narrative portrayed. Is there a bigger compliment for a band ?
My only real criticism? At nearly 60 minutes, this is a long album, especially by today’s modern standards. It makes listening to “Pearl Hunting” more of an effort than it should be. As cliché as it sounds, less really is more. Leave your audience stunned and wanting more! Not fatigued. After all, is a piano version of ‘Exorcism’ at the end REALLY necessary?
I haven’t really mentioned the production but whatever tricks you’ve done in the studio for this album, Belle Morte make sure you do this again! It works perfectly for you as a band!
Overall, “Pearl Hunting” sticks to the tried and tested formula that has worked for the genre for years but adding their own unique traditional stamp that stays true to their individuality whilst asserting a fresh approach to symphonic metal. This is definitely a deep dive worth taking, one that you’ll find pearls and other gems deep within.
TRACKLISTING:
01. Pearl hunting
02. Fallen idol
03. Exorcism
04. Blame me
05. Wintersleep
06. Losing faith
07. Black waters
08. Willow
09. September
10. Jorōgumo
11. Krew
12. Exorcism (piano version)
LINKS:
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