MEANING BESIDE „The reaping”

Country: Russia
Genre: Metalcore
Killer beats: Even god knows fear, Light in your eyes, Requiem
Band website: www.myspace.com/meaningbeside
Album lenght: 42:59

Russian metalcore stopped being russian only at last. Hah! Sure, the lyrics are written in the language of our eastern neighbours but when it comes to speaking about music, MEANING BESIDE resembles American KILLSWITCH ENGAGE or ALL THAT REMAINS which is what differentiates them from their colleagues from native scene. I pointed it out few times that Russian core is “strangely” different from, for example the German or Australian. Russian booze drinkers developed their own way of playing which they follow for few years already. I even dare to say metalcore in distant Mother Russia is what death metal or black metal are for us. But that was not my point. It was supposed to be about MEANING BESIDE.

What makes them differ from the rest of their colleagues? The energy in their music unlike in the KAMBODGE or STIGMATA, speed and fury taken from the achievements of AS I LAY DYING, melodics which Adam D. from KILLSWITCH ENGAGE would not despise, they just sound so American, yet they are still faithful to Mother Russia. You would say it is because of the language. No. In my opinion Russian metalcore can be recognised in a moment. Same is with German (specific crudeness) or American (exaggerated brutalization and inserting faggy choruses wherever it is possible). Russians, and I like them, have their own awesome style. I like it very much and praise it from time when I heard STIGMATA for the first time, not mentioning bands such as KAMBODGE, RASHAMBA, or KENAYA. MEANING BESIDE has this thing inside, which will surely allow them to become really popular in their own, so huge country. People there need such a music as much as they need bread, so I am not surprised band like this exists there.

What makes them differ from the rest and makes them cool? Lead singer amongst others. This guy can not only beautifully sing in his mother tongue (chorus “The Burial”), but also he can growl and scream equally strong. The last thing appears most often because Andrew chose this form of expression. Growls and other screeches are only additions to his vocals. And they fill in his standard timbre of voice very well. With reference to other screamers of the bands shown above he still does quite well, and makes understand that he is influenced by the bands from across the ocean (concrete growls smell almost like deathcore!). Let us go on. Rhythm section. Countrymen of MEANING ASIDE even though are skilled musicians or, let us say, more than that (MY AUTUMN) do not get crazy, play in a preventive way, and do not let themselves get carried by emotions. In contrary, Osip and Dima have tendencies of drifting into really fast regions, often rushing with the speed of extreordinarily fast blast (there is a lot of them – another influence from States). Also, Osip deserves to be praised – this guy has a certain talent and skills, which he proves by playing all those crazy blasts of his, and just after that he surprises with some groove metal solution (an all of that happening in extreme tempos). It works best in HIT “Light in your eyes”.

Next. Melodics, ladies and gentlemen. Nobody in this country has such melodies. I have no idea how they have done them, but you remember everything easily, hum it, or I don’t know, you can even piss all over yourself during their songs. Whatever. Good, serious, and what is most important suitable for gigs material. Let us add to this selective, but not exaggerated sound which suits metalcore best, and we get great and ready for masses of fans album. “The Reaping” is a new quality in Russian metalcore. This band is gonna make some mess (there). Absolutely. And Poland will stay deaf anyway.

note: 8,5/10

Tracklist

Intro
Even god knows fear
Death gait
Dream
The burial
Requiem
Light in your eyes
Step into the darkness
My Demon
The tempest
Dead Freedom
The price of betrayal

Line-up

Osip – drums
Andrew – vocals
Dima – bass
Vitalik – guitars
Kostya – guitars