EP REVIEW: The Blessed And The Evil – Belmondo
Bringing a new edge to the razor-sharp alternative rock genre, Brighton-based band BELMONDO have made their debut with their latest four-track EP The Blessed And The Evil. An EP that contains a limited amount of music can be a great introduction, or a stunted greeting that falls short of memorable; as a group who are already gaining recognition and adoration around the UK and breaking out into Europe, there is great hope that this EP is the best way to bring themselves on a brand new journey. Jump on in and hold on tight.
Bringing a new energy to deep and dark rock music, there is a rejuvenated feeling to The Blessed And The Evil, something that feels familiar but fresh. Industrial has never sounded so fun. Grunge has never sounded so sleek and slotted together in the right ways. BELMONDO have managed to find a shape that fits them so accurately, and the cross they bear doesn’t seem as heavy anymore.
The Blessed And The Evil has both subtle and explicit references to religion, particularly Christianity and the consideration of one’s faith and beliefs as they live this cruel hard life, from one track titled The Journey Of Moses On The Nile, to the comparisons being used in closing track and single Bethlehem. The latter track, being one that has brought them the most attention and is leading the EP release, is easily a fan-favourite in the making. With the choice of making this a single release working in their favour, this gives an accurate taste of what one is to expect from this group.
Bringing together rock influences from decades past, tied together with the beautiful black-hearted vocals of frontwoman Carmen Mellino, there is something rough and dirty yet elegant and glamorous about Bethlehem specifically. Repeating the lyric, “I repent the blessed and the evil”, Mellino brings to light the truth that positive and negative energy must co-exist together. There is no good without evil, and vice versa, and it’s a painful fact of humanity. One will resent evil in all its forms, including the innocence that may be directly or indirectly enabling evil’s takeover in one’s heart, soul, mind and life. There is no true good, no innocence without fault, and with how chaotic the sound of this and the preceding tracks on the EP are, it seems this has been accepted but not too easily and not too willingly.
With a handful of songs out to the public, touring schedules unveiling as time passes, and the readiness and eagerness needed to make it through the tough to get to the treasure, BELMONDO are going to become one of the most exciting bands in rock this year. The Blessed And The Evil is going to open all the doors, and here’s hoping they stomp right through and take what they’re deserving of.
Rating: 7/10
The Blessed And The Evil is out now via Silent Cult.
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