Explosive rock and metal blending hard distortion, power chords, fast riffs and melodic vocals – eighties influenced duo Dan Wande and Tomas Ylivainio deliver fierce metal escapism that’s both organic and immersive at its peak.
Essentially a creative match made for perfect balance, Dan Wande is a Swedish vocalist, whose contributions to music began in the eighties, and were first inspired by the trailblazing music of Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, and AC/DC. His passion and integrity as a frontman lets the band’s music resound with honest expression and power, and this quality unites faultlessly, with the multi-instrumental brilliance of lifelong musician Tomas Ylivainio (also known as Tylivain).
Bringing guitars, bass, drums and additional vocals to the mix, Tomas completes an exciting and focused metal set-up, and together as Beyond Black, the band present an energising and perfectly produced new rock realm.
Fast-fingered power chords and riffs alongside keys are quick to create something new and immersive for Beyond Black 1. Nightfall is chaotic but catchy, short lines and a call-and-response format that’s enchanting in both lyric and structure. The voices pair seamlessly, the gritty intensity softened by melodies that enthral, and the musicianship is incredibly tight – a band unity that’s second to none at this tempo and weight.
Then for Every Day Run, versatility reigns, as an immense bassline and descending long-form riff add something easily recognisable.
The lyrics are reflective of the mundanity of the rat race, and that connection rings loudly, as we storm towards a huge crescendo of energy and escapism from the band. This kind of singer-songwriter realism, these indie lyrics and stories that feel unfiltered and genuine, again add something authentic and unique to the hard rock and metal arena, and help further secure the identity of the Beyond Black creative style.
Slick indie riffs and powerful vocals offer short and snappy lines, a certain colourful optimism that clearly brings something new and interesting to the hard rock format. The track Money Talks has a huge chorus, an earworm of a hook and lashings of vibrancy and passion. What’s more, both the vocal melodies and the guitar riffs inject an unmistakable sense of character to the track, offering a distinction from the ocean of metal songs out there, and introducing Beyond Black in a mighty way.
Shadow Warrior follows and again carefully blends darkness and optimism, with a historical depth of story and infectious, all-together-now vocal refrains.
The musicianship is devotedly impressive, precise and powerful, fast yet grounded amidst melody and movement, and the structure and evolution of this track is seamless, awakening, and quite mesmerising.
With a growing repertoire and a multitude of solo projects and collaborations to their names, Dan Wande and Tylivain continue to break down the barriers of genre and generation, with the crisp mastering and timeless songwriting of their eclectic but distinct collection.
Return of the King is another single worth hearing, an intense story of pure musical contrast and theatrics, which leans towards progression rock quite notably, with soaring guitar solos and a mighty level of impact between quiet and chaotic moments.
Dan Wande’s album Highway 45 is also unmissable, an engaging full-length playlist of stylish distorted riffs and vocals born to perform in this way. The storytelling is poetic and mysterious, the title-track a thoughtful anthem of an introduction, with Tommyknockers following as a massive cinematic explosion of musical brilliance.
Creativity diversity matters, and Highway 45 is one of the most varied and entertaining metal albums of recent years. Consider the colourful licks and bends, the sheer passion and beauty of Out of the Dark, and later, the emotional roots and hypnotic short guitar notes of Life on The Line.
Contrast is crucial, and this project excels in that area. The ache and melancholy of Memories of Pain placed cleverly next to the seductive and soulful euphoria of Walking on Water.
For the metal and hard rock fans both past and present, Beyond Black capture an artistic personality that’s built upon a fine balancing of skill, substance, passion, and conviction. Their music ticks a lot of boxes, and lets you escape into the sound without error. Definitely one to watch this year.
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