Beloved Enemy is a dark gothic band founded in 2006 by Peter Pathos. They released a couple of albums but folded around 2013. The band who comprise Peter Pathos (guitars/keyboards), Andrew James ‘Dead L-Vis’ Witzke (vocals), Chai Deveraux (guitar), Eddy (bass) and Martin ‘Dog’ Kessler have reformed and have their third album “Back From The Other Side,” due out later this year. In anticipation the guys have an EP with five acoustic numbers, four reworked from previous albums.
This extended play opens with `Die Alone` and what hits you first is the wonderfully deep resonating vocals which lie somewhere between Nick Cave and Type O Negative`s sadly missed singer Peter Steele. The original version on 2011`s “Thank You For the Pain” wouldn`t have been out of place in a Sisters Of Mercy set. But this stripped back version retains the same sentiment but delivered in a questioning, heart wrenching way. The acoustic guitar, bass, keys, and a seated box drum with shaken hand percussion set a platform for the vocal to overtake you. A wonderful intro.
A reworked version of 2007`s `Virus Undead` from the “Enemy Mine” album and written for the soundtrack of the movie of the same name by the director duo Wolf Wolff and Ohmuthi follows. The original number was almost a speed metal freak out with chugging guitar riffs and keyboard splashes but this time it`s a mellow outing with Spanish guitar retaining the faster pace, percussion and sweet harmonies extolling the chorus of “can you get outa my head” as if the band are trying to exorcise the disease.
Another track from “Enemy Mine” is shared with `The Other Side` with the original release being a sort of vast expansive operatic metal ballad that if you didn`t know you`d think it was Rammstein. This updated acoustic revision retains the operatic reflective intensity of the vocals but allows the guitar, bass, keys, and percussion a share of the spotlight.
`Running Man` on “Thank You For the Pain” is a fairy powerful mid paced rock number and this stripped back version retains the unnerving chimes and snaking bass tones but starts with shaking hand percussion and finger clicks. The intensity of the composition is retained allowing you to feel the isolation and the nonconforming nature of the subject in this narrative.
This release closes with `Mother` which revolves around the painful experience songwriter Peter Pathos went through with the slow death of his mother. I’d defy anybody, who has lost their own mother, not to be moved by this wonderful tribute. A stunning band effort with vocals that betray just the right weight of emotion. It left me with tears streaming down my face.
I loved this introduction to Beloved Enemy and cannot believe that I’d never fell upon them before. The band are gifted musicians and have a wonderful asset with singer Ski-King.
The “Another Side EP” is a timely reminder of their abilities and a taster to whet our appetite for the new album that`s to come. The positive for me is that I haven`t had to wait a decade for it.
Rating 9.5/10
