Ba’al did it again. After their album Ellipsism in 2020, they are back with an EP called Soft Eyes, with a total of 3 songs for 27 minutes and 3 seconds of complex yet stunning post-black metal.

The diversity of tonalities, and the variety in the composition, from very intense phases in “Ornamental Doll” to only guitar and voice and fire cracking in the background… If you are into post-music, you will find your pleasure. The second song “Yearn to Burn Bright” brings some nice melodeath sounds and rhythms. The three songs are all different, enjoyable, and they all bring a new way of listening to Ba’al. The only common point will be the excellent scream and the room left for more lengthy passages that complete the more raging parts in the best way.

In terms of lyrics, Ba’al sticks to what they are known for, talking about depression, mental health issues, being stuck in your head, and meeting again and again your childhood self. However, while it is easy to turn those lyrics into a surrender, Ba’al brings hope, reminding us that as long as we live, there is hope to get better «While I still inhale / While I still exhale / I can be saved / I will be saved». You will find this hope in the music itself, in the tonality, in the way the melodies are built, and in the vocals as well.

As I wrote at the very beginning of this short review, Ba’al is not on the first try, but with this EP they confirmed their position in the post-black metal scene, with the good message and politics all included!

⚔️ BA’AL ⚔️
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