Album Review: Beriedir – AQVA (Rockshots Records)

Beriedir (from the Sindarin word for “Guardians”) is a progressive melancholic power metal act based in Bergamo, Italy. The five-member band was founded by Stefano Nüsperli and began its live career in 2015 with the release of “The Line”, their first demo. Their first full-length album “The Path Beyond the Moon” was unveiled in 2018, which launched them to perform on multiple musical events such as Fosch Fest (Italy) along with sharing the stage with bands such as Korpiklaani and Pathfinder.

After the 2020 release of the EP “Lullabies Beyond the Moon”, which contained three tracks from their debut album rearranged in an acoustic key, they are now ready to release their new album “AQVA” on January 21st, 2022 via Rockshots Records.

Says Stefano Nüsperli:

We think AQVA will positively surprise our older fans and lead new ones, this record is much more diverse and has definitely matured in songwriting. The main goal of AQVA as a whole is to figuratively “submerge” the listener with a spectrum of themes, both musical and lyrical, related to water and its shapes. Water is the element of flow, it’s the substance that conceals, preserves, and washes all away. The lulling nature of a silent shore or a rapping rain is juxtaposed to the fearsome imagery of the undertow, riptides, and tidal waves. We tried to convey these atavistic sensations differently from track to track. The singles were chosen to showcase the variety of approaches to this theme.

An immersive listen, AQVA take us on a watery based journey. From being fully submerged to the point of lung-busting desperation to the more relaxed pitter-patter of rainfall. It’s not a conceptual album, more of an overall theme, but does give something to grasp and create a cool image.

Musically, AQVA sits in the power metal camp with 10 tracks of commanding and influential music that gees up the spirit and gets the neck muscles working overtime.

With a burst of synth, the album begins with some serious pace on At Candle Light. Before Beriedir hit their stride with Departure Song and The Dove and the Serpent. The pot is bubbling nicely now, and this opening salvo get things off to a salivating start.

The latter of those three is a wide-ranging listen that expertly blends power and poise with metal grandeur but is equally matched by the majesty of The Angel in the Lighthouse.

The Drowned, Stormbound, Arkangelos, and Of Dew and Frost continue the feel-good blend of synth, melody and power-heavy metal. Each as satisfying as the last, Beriedir consistently driving a forceful stake of quality music into the heart of listeners.

The downpour really hits with the moodier hit of Rain, a punchy penultimate track that still portrays ‘epic’ nicely. Before this strong release closes out with Moonlight Requiem, a straight-forward power-driven closer that ticks all the boxes for what Beriedir have offered on this album. One last positive punch that leaves you blissfully floating in the deep waters AQVA expels.

Beriedir – AQVA Full Track Listing:

1. At Candle Light
2. Departure Song
3. The Dove and the Serpent
4. The Angel in the Lighthouse
5. The Drowned
6. Stormbound
7. Arkangelos
8. Of Dew and Frost
9. Rain
10. Moonlight Requiem

Links

Spotify | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Rockshots Records