{"id":11817,"date":"2024-07-27T12:08:48","date_gmt":"2024-07-27T16:08:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/heavensmetalmagazine.com\/?p=11817"},"modified":"2024-07-27T12:08:48","modified_gmt":"2024-07-27T16:08:48","slug":"ben-baruk-cosmogony","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/heavensmetalmagazine.com\/index.php\/2024\/07\/27\/ben-baruk-cosmogony\/","title":{"rendered":"BEN BARUK: Cosmogony"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Seriously?!<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Out of the gate, if you are a fan of cinematic, conceptual fantasy melodic progressive doom\/death metal Cosmogony<\/em> may be the best (and maybe only album for that matter) which fits that specific niche\/descriptive. I mean, this is seriously outrageous \u2026 and this is seriously metal, seriously progressive and seriously conceptual \u2026 and this is seriously great!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Seriously \u2026 I\u2019ve been intermittently listening to this for a few months now (released in early May). And by \u201cintermittently listening\u201d I don\u2019t mean while driving to work or during a work-out. (Ha, surely you jest!) Try intermittent 60 plus minute blocks of time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Therefore, for Cosmogony <\/em>to work, for you to even begin to wrap your head around the concepts, the music, the sounds, the words you must \u201clisten\u201d with the intent to ingest, digest\/ruminate, process and metabolize \u2026 which physiologically speaking takes hours to days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sorry, no quick sound-byte blurb review here to give you a quick fix. Cosmogony<\/em> literally \u201cdefies description.\u201d (Come on, Doc) Oh, but you know I am going to try!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trilogy of Success<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I. Starting with the most simplistic statement, Ben Baruk incorporates a diverse number of musical styles and voices into the mix of their Cosmogony<\/em>. Not only does this raise the curiosity factor, but it also boosts the credibility of the band. Talent attracts talent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

II. They are equally competent with each of these inclusions. The spoken parts are great, the harsh vocals are great, the melodic vocals are great, the cinematic elements are great, the guitars are great, the drumming is great, the songwriting is great \u2026 ok, you get the picture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

III. The production, the mix, the mastering \u2026 all great. In fact, the only criticism I can find is that the words in the lyric booklet are printed too small (and you can blame that criticism on the reviewer\u2019s biologically decaying optics). But more importantly, what I can\u2019t see, I can hear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Blessed Son<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But wait, who is this band?Cosmogony <\/em>represents the second release by Brazilian metallers Ben Baruk (Jeremiah 36:4), who hail from Rio de Janeiro. There is little information out there about them \u2013 their first release in 2020 is called What Love Is That<\/em> \u2013 so they are a newer band. Rafael Rodrigues (guitar\/growls) is credited with also producing this epic. He is supported by Maria Jose (vocals), Andre Fernandes (guitars\/vocals), Cadu Matios (bass) and Lais Cunha (drums).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interestingly, there appear to be a nice cadre of other musicians contributing, most noteworthy Nahor Andrade (Dynasty of Metal) and Duane Keith II (Vision of God). Keith is also credited with guest vocals and with the CD mastering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About Influences<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Accordingly, Ben Baruk’s musical influences appear to be vast, but from what I\u2019ve gleaned so far progressive and epic doom\/death metal, like Paramaecium or Opeth alongside more technical contemporary artists like Haken or even Periphery. And even Orphaned Land. However, that would only be touching the surface as there are so many \u201cvoices\u201d in the mix that this effort \u2013 at least in spirit\/intent \u2013 resonates with the multi-vocalist, multi-instrumental approach of Ayreon\/Star One.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About Faith<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The band, according to their Facebook page: \u201cWe are a metal band formed by people who share the same faith and worldview, with the aim of creating heavy and extreme music reflecting our daily lives, our convictions and our influences. We believe that Jesus is the savior of humanity, and this is reflected in our songs.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Origin of the Universe<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Cosmogony is defined as the \u201ctheory of the origin of the universe.\u201d The band have stated they are fascinated by the idea of the creation of the universe. While I won\u2019t pretend to understand everything going here in the lyrics, it appears they have blended Biblical truths with myths from Tolkien\u2019s The Silmarillion<\/em>, a \u201cprequel\u201d to the infamous The Hobbit<\/em> and the Lord of the Rings<\/em> trilogy, which delves deep into the origins of Middle Earth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tolkien\u2019s World Translated \u2026 to Metal<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Silmarillion<\/em>, which takes place during the First Age of Elves and Men, chronicles the war of the Elves against Evil (basically, good vs. evil) on the playing fields of both the unseen spiritual realms and the physical realms of beings. In essence, it represents Tolkien\u2019s creation myth with many themes echoing those with which we struggle today: good vs. evil, greed and power vs humility, civility and a struggle for unity vs. division, submission vs. free will, and bravery against the fate of extinction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not insignificantly, putting all these themes and imagery into a coalescent 60 minutes or so of music is a daunting task for the likes of a seasoned concept metal band like Dream Theater or Symphony X or even Saviour Machine, yet Ben Baruk have managed to accomplish this task on only their second album. Praise be, indeed!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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