The wondrous and whimsical world of BLACKBRIAR

I was having a BLACKBRIAR crisis the last day where I visited all their discography for the hundredth time, reading their lyrics and being lost into their world once again. Since we do not have a new album to discuss yet, I took the chance of analyzing what makes them special and why people should be aware of them.

For the introductions, the band hails from Netherlands and consists of six members, having been founded in 2012. Their first album may have come nine years after in 2021, but it was hardly for lack of focus, but because they were releasing a lot of music until they developed their own sound. We are talking after all about three great EPs “Fractured fairytales (2017)”, “We’d rather burn (2018)”, Our mortal remains (2019)” and some standalone singles such as “Snow white and Rose red”, “Fairy of the bog” and “Moonflower” that are all worth a visit. Their LP count rests on two currently, with “The cause of shipwreck (2021)” and “A dark euphony (2023)”.

The music of the group is bewitching the world of Alternative Symphonic Metal, while considering them as just another Symphonic Metal band would be very far from the truth. Here are some of their pillars that differentiate and enhance their identity:

Musical themes: They are simply the musical equivalent of a dark fairy tale and embody all of their elements. They showcase a strong theatrical foundation in all their songs, their music is like you are hearing the soundtrack of all fables and tales you grew up with! That comes with concepts such as darkness, love, sadness, joy, loss, friendship, mystery and the list goes on. Not to wonder why I call them the musical counterpart of the Grimm Brothers’ stories 

Lyrics: They may draw inspiration from personnal experiences or even various rarely heard topics that have happened throughout history, like the case of sin eaters in ‘My soul’s demise’. To call them poetic would be an understatement and that is what I like about them. For example love is a concept that has been beaten to death in the music industry, but BLACKBRIAR pass it through their filter and give us something unique in forms of metaphors, which they use in the excess. I will use the song ‘The Evergreen and Weeping Tree’ as an example:    

“

I’m stuck in the ground, I’ve lingered for too long

And grew my own roots, I cannot move on

I have become a weeping tree on a gloomy day

Not green, nor yellow, but withering grеy

But then there was the evergreen, Who as I sang my elegy

Only heard a beautiful melody ,Oh, then there was the evergreen

Who’s always been there for me, And fell in love with my entity

Our roots intertwined and my leafless exterior, Came back to life

“

Their play with words is very smart and you can feel chills by just reading their lyrics. I won’t spoil others songs as it is best to be discovered, just know that the above is just a very small taste. 

Vocals: Zora is the start and end of the band for the simple fact that her voice is what brings the whole atmosphere to life. Her voice is very unique, different from what we are used to and immediately recognizable by a mile. Her eerie tone is not only ideal to serve the concept, but necessary. She is just the perfect gothic fairytale narrator!

Band performance: Great musicianship includes not bloating songs with unneeded notes just to prove you are a good instrumentalist and the members excel in that part. The musical backbone of the band is steady and creates heavy tunes, while their playing always serves the songs. If a part needs to be Metal they will deliver, if the atmosphere must prevail they will give space to the haunting arrangements. Their music always feels part of the total and never disappoint or bore you.

Art direction: Another part I like is how the band has adopted their own style for their covers, as they always utilize three colors: White, black and occasionally red. When you see one of their covers you will know that it is a work of BLACKBRIAR. It is not only tasteful, but works great for fans of the physical format as well. 

So summing what they do well, is that they play music that has an equal dose of heavy and magic! They discuss and bring to the surface feelings and emotions in a way of their own, full of metaphors that never feel cheesy, but instead make you awe their inspiration. Just like Danny Elfman did in Nightmare Before Christmas, which makes the perfect analogy now that I think of it: Dark, yet inviting, warm and friendly but full of mystery that stirs your curiosity and imagination! For those reasons, I do not believe you will have a middle ground with BLACKBRIAR. If you are not moved by their niche you will most probably find them uninteresting otherwise. If they manage to pull any of your emotional chords, you will be under their spell for life. 

Pavlos Pavlakis