Beyond The Black got some additional focus in Germany when their lead singer Jennifer Haben joined the popular TV format Sing meinen Song (“Sing my Song”) in 2019. Just as the 2020 edition of the show is done and a new set of stars promoted their albums, like the 2020 recordings by Nico Santos or Ilse de Lange, Beyond the Black also are back in the record stores: the symphonic metal band released their Horizons on 19th June 2020.
Beyond The Black – About The Artists
The roots of the band are back to 2014 in Mannheim, when the band has been found. Apart from lead singer Jennifer Haben, however, no member of the original sextet are still part of the band – even though they had quite a massive start: after they send a demo to the organizers, the played the famous Wacken Open Air in their founding year. They also supported Saxon on the February UK tour 2015. In that year, the band also released their debut – Song of Love and Death sold well in the stores and online and peaked 12th spot in the German album charts. The following albums, the 2016 Lost in Forever and the 2018 Heart of the Hurricane even did better, placing fourth and fifth in the charts and having Top 30 rankings in neighboring Austria and Switzerland. Horizons (which is in fact written as Hørizøns) is the band’s fourth studio album.
Beyond The Black – Horizons – Track by Track
The 13 tracks album lasts 55 minutes.
1. Horizons
The album starts with the title tracks (this time, without the Scandinavian O, by the way…). Melodic, powerful and a nice contrast between Jennifer Haben as the lead (and female) vocals and Chris Hermsdörfer and Tobias Lodes on the boy’s side. Cool track, even though the arrangement feels very pop-ish – the guitars are
2. Misery
Misery has been one of the songs the band decided to publish as single before the album. Definitely one of the best songs of the album. Powerful, melodic, like as you would expect from that genre. Vice versa, the song also illustrates perfectly how much the project depends on Haben (so it is not too critical that she replaced the whole band already).
3. Wounded Healer
Double female power on Wounded Healer: Amaranthe’s Elize Ryd is joining Beyond the Black in this song. My favorite, also as it moves between powerful and very quiet moments.
4. Some Kind Of Monster
Like some kind of monster, some kind of freak
I feel there’s an evil no longer asleep
Like some kind of monster breaking the chains
I feel there’s a darkness that poisons my veins
What I do, what I say to the ones in my way
I can’t help it, I’m losing it all
Like some kind of monster, some kind of freak
I feel it inside me, it’s buried in deep
Good, very well-to-listen chorus and lyrics. Some Kind Of Monster is just on the edge of metal. It is rock music, definitely – but I feel a bit of sorry for the guys at the guitars. I am sure they would long for “More Power!”
5. Human
One of the singles so far released from the Horizons album. I cannot deal too well with it. The song is neither a good ballad nor a good metal song. We’re born to die, we are human – and with that kind of music, there are some reasons to take the earlier exit.
6. Golden Pariahs
Golden Pariahs is one of my favorites of Horizons. First of all, this one is undoubtedly metal (though I still struggle with that “defensive” arrangement of the song. At the very least, when Haben sings the repetitive Golden Pariahs, this one catches you. Great!
7. Marching On
Regarding musical quality, this track just cannot keep up with Golden Pariahs. Somehow a nice one, not more. At least, the guitars are allowed to show their power.
8. You’re Not Alone
Major parts of the album feel to be a departure from the metal community. You’re Not Alone is one of the tracks which give the headbangers a tearful farewell. One of the best arranged songs. Metal meets radio sound.
9. Out Of The Ashes
Rock, maybe pop – or still metal? If you move though this triangle of genres and don’t take care, you my quickly reach nether land. Out Of The Ashes is caught in that Bermuda triangle o me..
10. Paralyzed
The chorus of Paralyzed is a quite catching one (and – by the way – quite on the metal corner of the triangle I mentioned before). Some other parts of the songs are just too weak though to make me bang my head.
11. Coming Home
If the band is Coming Home and thereby plays such a powerful guitar cruncher, why the f*ck do you leave your home and do this pop-mainstream stuff? There is quite some talent in that combo (though I feel it decreased with all the band substitutions), but is there a concept?
12. I Won’t Surrender Feat. Tina Guo
Cool sounds in I Won’t Surrender: Tina Guo is a quite famous cellist, who joins Beyond the Black for this song. The cello parts are really intense. The song is a die-hard ballad.
13. Welcome To My Wasteland
Okay, that’s the wasteland then. I have to say that this final track illustrates maybe better than any other song of this album the dilemma in which the band is caught: a metal fan might not even bang his head to this track if you bribe him – but for mainstream listeners it may be a bit too hard. Still, the band found the people in between, who buy this stuff. Activate their potential. They do that, undoubtedly.
Beyond The Black – Horizons – Spotify
Here are the Horizons on Spotify:
Beyond The Black – Horizons – My View
Beyond The Black will sell this one massively – so they won’t care anyway that I don’t like the album. There is no clear concept. Overall, the band is too limited to really survive this fight between feeling metal (which the metal fans likely do not think of Beyond the Black anyway) and pop, where likely more popularity and money is possible. This sound can only be successful if you keep your die-hard community. It will be interesting if the band is able to do that.
German Artist Music Reviews on Flyctory.com
Here are more Media Reviews of the German Artists:

Black Hawk – Soulkeeper
Read More

Sophia – Niemals Allein
Read More

Leony – Somewhere in Between
Read More

Mael & Jonas – Rocket Science
Read More

Wolfgang Petry – Stark wie wir
Read More

Lina – 24/1
Read More

AnnenMayKantereit – Es ist Abend und wir sitzen bei mir
Read More

Helge Schneider – Torero
Read More

Endlevel – Weekend War
Read More

Antonia Kubas – Liebe und Musik EP
Read More

OH FYO! – Level 3: Discovery
Read More

Tanzwut – Silberne Hochzeit
Read More

Malte Vief und Malte Viefs Kammer – Kammer III
Read More

The Legendary – Warlord
Read More

Donots – Heut ist ein guter Tag
Read More

The Rehats – Heart & Mind
Read More

IUMA – Genug EP
Read More

Umme Block – State Of Limbo
Read More

Alexander Liebe – Spielautomat
Read More

Keimzeit Akustik Quintett – Schon gar nicht Proust
Read More

Sonic Wildhearts – Get It On
Read More

Ski Holiday – Ski Holadiy
Read More

Groenalund – #lovestorm
Read More

Nicole Scholz – Nur Du
Read More

King LX – Broken Crown
Read More

Sündflut – Basta! EP
Read More

Nina Hagen – Unity
Read More

Neufundland – Grind
Read More

Boppin’ B – Saxbomb
Read More

David Gramberg – Where Have You Gone EP
Read More

Karo Lynn – A Line in My Skin
Read More

Samuel Rösch – Für den Augenblick EP
Read More

Bad Temper Joe – Glitter & Blues
Read More

Sarah Connor – Not So Silent Night
Read More

Tina Tandler – Songs for Saxophone
Read More

Superläuche – Superläuche
Read More

Hostage – Memento Mori
Read More

Wally – Alles halb so wild
Read More

Avantasia – A Paranormal Evening With The Moonflower Society
Read More

Atlas Bird – Atlas Bird
Read More

SLIXS – Quer Bach 3
Read More

Allee der Diktatoren – Dieses kleine bisschen Wut
Read More

Magical Heart – Heartsonic
Read More

Kill Strings – Limbo
Read More

U96 – 20,000 Meilen unter dem Meer
Read More

Blind Guardian – The God Machine
Read More

Roland Kaiser – Perspektiven
Read More

Jolina Carl – Hallo, ich bin Jolina Carl
Read More

Drei Meter Feldweg – Durak
Read More

Luna Klee – Mein Kopf, mein Bauch, mein Herz
Read More

Vanessa Mai – Metamorphose
Read More

Versus Goliath – Liebe & Chaos
Read More

HAVET – Mamas Lullaby EP
Read More

Marie Reim – Bist Du dafür bereit?
Read More

Pete Wolf Band – Crosswalk To Nowhere EP
Read More

Broken Forest – Wild At Heart EP
Read More

Zeitflug – Echte Freunde
Read More

LustfingeR – LustfingeR
Read More

She Bites – Super Hero
Read More

Heischneida – Heischneida II
Read More

Philipp Eisenblätter – Das Jahr, das sich um eins verschiebt
Read More

Confirmation – Survive EP
Read More

More Than Words – Today (Make Today Be the Best Day of Your Life)
Read More

Markus – Das Leben liebt mich … und ich liebe das Leben
Read More

Sophie Fellner – Brown Eyes EP
Read More

Traitor – Exiled To The Surface
Read More

Breathe Your Last – Apocalypse
Read More

Leepa – Brain Freeze EP
Read More

Chris Colter – Nice To Be Back To Be Back Nice
Read More

Charly Klauser – Mehr
Read More

The Cumberland River Project – A Smell of Gravy
Read More

April Art – P.O.K.E.R.F.A.C.E.
Read More

Clara Louise – Enough Is Enough
Read More

Kasalla – Rudeldiere
Read More

Fräulein Frey – Ein Wagnis
Read More

Dan O’ Clock – Seelenhippie EP
Read More

Karaboom – Follow Your Heart
Read More

Wucan – Heretic Tongues
Read More

Like Mint – I Wish I Was Awake EP
Read More

Shameless – So Good, You Should….
Read More

Marius Müller-Westernhagen – Das eine Leben
Read More

J.B.O. – Planet Pink
Read More

Dr. Umwuchts Tanzpalast – Im Zentrum der Wirklichkeit
Read More

Mina Richman – Jaywalker EP
Read More

Julian Reim – In meinem Kopf
Read More

Tino Z – Highwayman
Read More

Geschwister David – Verrückt es nicht zu tun
Read More

Axel Rudi Pell – Lost XXIII
Read More

DeVicious – Black Heart
Read More

Mrs. Greenbird – Love You To The Bone
Read More

Hi! Spencer – Memori EP
Read More

Ann Doka – House of Change
Read More

Max Paul Maria – Paradigm Beach
Read More

NANEE – Tausend Farben EP
Read More

The Jeremy Days – Beauty In Broken
Read More

KIDSØ – Fir
Read More

Der Sonne zu Nah – Schwerkraft
Read More

Tame The Abyss – They Vanished At Dawn! EP
Read More

Der To – Hand aufs Herz
Read More

The Keltics – 9
Read More

Gutrectomy – Manifestation Of Human Suffering
Read More

Fairytale – Winter Tales
Read More

Michael Lane – Take It Slow
Read More

Jördis Tielsch – New Mornings
Read More

Klaus Lage – Je wahrer die Liebe
Read More

Rickie Lee Kroell – Hauptsache was mit Deichkind
Read More

The Sleeper – Radiant
Read More

Pictures – It’s OK
Read More

Herman Rarebell & The Hurricane Orchestra – Scorpion’s Songs Symphonic
Read More

Gampe – Tiny House Blues
Read More

Matthias Reim – MATTHIAS
Read More

Tristan Harders’ Twilight Theatre – Drifting Into Insanity
Read More

Spoon And The Forkestra – The Fondest Flinch EP
Read More

Jona Bird – Januar
Read More

G. G. Anderson – Wenn In Santa Maria
Read More

Morris Jones – Out & About
Read More

Lauryn Mark – Aperitif EP
Read More

No Snakes In Heaven – Dancer EP
Read More

Ian Tray Band – Electricity
Read More

Gregorian – Pure Chants
Read More

Fuer den Faehrmann – Blutmond EP
Read More

Johannes Scheurich – Mehr Davon
Read More

Emma Longard – Quieter Pt. 2 EP
Read More

Incredible Pack – Time For Decisions
Read More

Yvonne Catterfeld – Change
Read More

Hämatom – Die Liebe ist Tot
Read More

Musa Dagh – Musa Dagh
Read More

Alena Neubert – A Life That’s Good
Read More

Cat Ballou – Alles Bunt
Read More

Alex Diehl – Die Songs, die ich nie schreiben wollte EP
Read More

Flora Falls – Ankle Deep EP
Read More

Max Giesinger – Vier
Read More

Palila – Rock ‘n’ Roll Sadness
Read More

Dieter Hallervorden – 80 plus
Read More

Greyhound George Band – Get Up And Walk!
Read More

Michael Heppes – Achtung Leben
Read More

Running Wild – Blood on Blood
Read More

Art Garfunkel Jr. – Wie Du – Hommage an meinen Vater
Read More

Dennis Adamus – Right For You
Read More

Tom Aquinas – XMas Greetings EP
Read More

Bodyguerra – Fire & Soul
Read More

Det Haggard – Teamwork 2.0
Read More

Winter 2 – Winter 2
Read More

Paulina Wagner – Vielleicht verliebt
Read More

Santiano – Wenn die Kälte Kommt
Read More

Roland Kaiser – Weihnachtszeit
Read More

Jesse Cole – SAND (Some Are Never Done)
Read More

Paule – Wunderschön unperfekt
Read More

Simon Jela – Safe Place EP
Read More

Wolfgang Petry – Auf das Leben
Read More

Power Plush – Vomiting Emotions EP
Read More

Peter Maffay – So Weit
Read More

Alex Christensen & The Berlin Orchestra – Classical 80s Dance
Read More

Freakstorm – Storm Inside My Heart
Read More

LUKE – Break The Silence EP
Read More

Mentalist – A Journey Into The Unknown
Read More

Nura – Auf der Suche
Read More

Annie Chops – Level Up
Read More

Mark Forster – Musketiere
Read More

Perlregen – Drei
Read More

Zwanie Jonson – We Like It
Read More

Tom Niklas – Einfach Ich
Read More

Plastic Mars – Up To Our Necks
Read More

Jasmin Wagner – Von Herzen
Read More

Existent – Kartenhaus EP
Read More

Jolina Carl – Mexican Overdrive
Read More

Egotronic – Stresz
Read More

Sarah Straub – Tacheles EP
Read More

Helge Schneider – Die Reaktion – The Last Jazz Vol. II
Read More

Die Liga der gewöhnlichen Gentlemen – GschichterIn aus dem Park Cafe
Read More

Luna Morgenstern – Taking The Blow EP
Read More

7fields – Under My Skin EP
Read More

Dominik Klein – Reflections EP
Read More

Razz – Might Delete Later EP
Read More

Paul Weber – Alles im Arsch EP
Read More

Helloween – Helloween
Read More

pez – All Lowercase EP
Read More

Karlie Apriori – Seelenpassagier EP
Read More

Richie Necker – New Songs and Untold Stories
Read More

Fancy – MASQUERADE (Les Marionettes)
Read More

Anchors & Hearts – Guns Against Liberty
Read More

No Angels – 20
Read More

TriXstar – Dear 2020 EP
Read More

Tinka – Geil EP
Read More

Bernhard Brink – lieben und leben
Read More

Mental Cruelty – A Hill To Die Upon
Read More

Die Prinzen – Krone der Schöpfung
Read More

Phil Solo – Harmonie
Read More

Alexander Ludwig – Alexander Ludwig EP
Read More

Emirsian – Lezoon
Read More

Noah Levi – Indigo EP
Read More

Kicker Dibs – Vagabund
Read More

Nikola – 369 EP
Read More

People Club – Take Me Home EP
Read More

Claudia Koreck – Perlentaucherin
Read More

Michael Hirte – Love Hurts
Read More

Emma Longard – Quieter Pt. 1 EP
Read More

Sing meinen Song – Das Tauschkonzert Vol. 8
Read More

Durch & Durch – Nice Aber Nutzlos
Read More

Wincent Weiss – Vielleicht Irgendwann
Read More

VINTER – Seasons
Read More

Mike Leon Grosch – Wenn wir uns wiedersehen
Read More

Klee – Trotzalledem
Read More

Sarah Lombardi – Im Augenblick
Read More

Fury in the Slaughterhouse – now
Read More

Samuel Rösch – Geschichten
Read More

JORIS – Willkommen Goodbye
Read More

Diane Weigmann – Die Wahrheit liegt irgendwo dazwischen
Read More

Ben Zucker – Jetzt Erst Recht!
Read More

The Jeals – Rage Generation
Read More

Löwen am Nordpol – Löwen am Nordpol
Read More

Antiheld – Disturbia
Read More

Hämatom – Berlin
Read More

Truck Stop – Liebe, Lust und Laster
Read More

Vanessa Mai – Mai Tai
Read More

Thomas Anders – Cosmic
Read More

Burn Down Eden – Burn Down Eden
Read More

Wilderlife – Closer Tonight EP
Read More

Timo Scharf – Everything Ever Always Is All Forgotten EP
Read More

Hanna Batka – Mitten in Berlin
Read More

Schorl3 – Sprudelpop EP
Read More

Selig – Myriaden
Read More

Blutengel – Fountain of Destiny
Read More

Vivien Gold – Gedankenkarussell
Read More

Stereoact – #Schlager
Read More

Bad Temper Joe – One Can Wreck It All
Read More

Definition of Insanity – Into The Abyss
Read More

PeterLicht – Beton Und Ibuprofen
Read More

Erik Cohen – Northern Soul
Read More

Nino de Angelo – Gesegnet und Verflucht
Read More

Gsindl – Gsindlsuperdinger
Read More

Jack McBannon – True Stories
Read More

Iuna Lux – All of my Answers EP
Read More

Sonor Teutonicus – Morgenrot
Read More

Bucket Boys – Twentyfive
Read More

Paso Doble & DJKC – Urknall
Read More

Accept – Too Mean To Die
Read More

Michael Schenker Group – Immortal
Read More

Don Marco & Die Kleine Freiheit – Gehst Du Mit Mir Unter
Read More

Tragedian – Seven Dimensions
Read More

LINA – Meins EP
Read More

Bashdown – Pushing the Envelope
Read More

Peter Schilling – Vis Viva
Read More

Sodom – Genesis XIX
Read More

Tusq – Rarities & Outtakes
Read More

Dirk Busch – Spuren (Lieder über das Leben)
Read More

Ross Antony – Lass es glitzern (Weihnachten mit Ross)
Read More

Bläck Fööss – 5Ö
Read More

Michelle – Anders ist gut
Read More

DanaMaria – Desert Diamond
Read More

Saltatio Mortis – Für Immer Frei
Read More

Marco Schmedtje – 18
Read More

Yonder Boys – Acid Folk
Read More

Van de Forst – Unconditional
Read More

miu – Corona Tapes EP
Read More

X-Perience – 555
Read More

Sarah Zucker – Wo Mein Herz Ist
Read More

U.D.O. & The German Armed Forces Concert Band – We Are One
Read More

Marquess – Turbulento
Read More

Marie Reim – 14 Phasen
Read More

Thomas Anders & Florian Silbereisen – Das Album
Read More

Das Moped – Erstaunlich Klar
Read More

Nico Santos – Nico Santos
Read More

Axel Rudi Pell – Sign of The Times
Read More

Karen – Repeat
Read More

The Cumberland River Project – The Cumberland River Project (Album Review)
Read More

Böhse Onkelz – Böhse Onkelz (2020 Album)
Read More

Heinz Rudolf Kunze – Der Wahrheit die Ehre
Read More

Henriette – Henriette EP
Read More

Vanessa Mai – Für Immer
Read More

Pete Wolf Band – 2084 (Album Review)
Read More

Björn Heuser – Kopp voll Dräum (Nashville Recordings)
Read More

Max Raabe & das Palast Orchester – MTV Unplugged
Read More

Alex Christensen & The Berlin Orchestra – Classical 90s Dance 3
Read More

Andreas Dorau – Das Wesentliche (Album Review)
Read More

Mrs. Greenbird – Dark Waters (Review)
Read More

Avantasia – Moonglow (Album Review)
Read More

Kiddo Kat – Piece of Cake (Album Review)
Read More

Doro – Forever Warriors // Forever United (Album Review)
Read More
Spotlight – Flyctory.com Interviews
Here are all postings of my interview section Spotlight:

Spotlight – Flyctory.com meets Jessica Lynn (March 2023)
Read More

Spotlight – Flyctory.com meets Julian Taylor (February 2023)
Read More

Spotlight – Flyctory.com meets Michael Nova of X: THC (January 2023)
Read More

Spotlight – Flyctory.com meets Vic Allen (19th January 2023)
Read More

Spotlight – Flyctory.com meet Zye Ca$h (January 2023)
Read More

Spotlight – Flyctory.com meets Milky Chance (17th November 2022)
Read More

Spotlight – Flyctory.com meets Nik Wallner (November 2022)
Read More

Spotlight – Flyctory.com meets Jon “Bermuda” Schwartz (6th October 2022)
Read More

Spotlight – Flyctory.com meets Carly Pearce (September 2022)
Read More

Spotlight – Flyctory.com meets Lindsay Ell (before her Cologne Show in Aug 2022)
Read More

Spotlight – Flyctory.com meets Hannah Strumner (August 2022)
Read More

Spotlight – Flyctory.com meets Tomas Rimeika (14th June 2022)
Read More

Spotlight – Flyctory.com meets Upsahl (25th April 2022)
Read More

Spotlight – Flyctory.com meets CJ of Paleface (29th March 2022)
Read More

Spotlight – Flyctory.com meets Angie Flare (22nd February 2022)
Read More

Spotlight – Flyctory.com meets Rickie Lee Kroell (8th February 2022)
Read More

Spotlight – Flyctory.com meets Jesse Slack (1st Feb 2022)
Read More

Spotlight – Flyctory.com meets Brittany Brodie (27th January 2022)
Read More

Spotlight – Flyctory.com meets Rusty Stone (8th December 2021)
Read More

Spotlight – Flyctory.com meets Presley Aronson (23rd September 2021)
Read More

Spotlight – Flyctory.com meets Stephanie Ryann (20th September 2021)
Read More

Spotlight – Flyctory.com meets Lori Rayne (14th September 2021)
Read More

Spotlight – Sylvia Aimee about her new single, “Identity” (19th May 2020)
Read More

Spotlight – Flyctory.com meets Linda Mar (11th May 2021)
Read More

Spotlight – Flyctory.com meets Kristen Foreman (5th May 2021)
Read More

Spotlight – Flyctory.com meets Christina Taylor (22nd April 2021)
Read More

Spotlight – Flyctory.com meets Emma Stevens (4th February 2021)
Read More

Spotlight – Flyctory.com meets Ann Doka (1st February 2021)
Read More

Spotlight – Flyctory.com meets Brian John Harwood (25th January 2021)
Read More

Spotlight – Flyctory.com Meets Frances Luke Accord (21st January 2021)
Read More

Spotlight – Flyctory.com meets Carrie Welling (3rd December 2020)
Read More

Spotlight – Flyctory.com Meets Tristan Cole (30th November 2020)
Read More

Spotlight – Flyctory.com Meets Nikita Skogen (23rd November 2020)
Read More

Spotlight – Flyctory.com meets DanaMaria (13th October 2020)
Read More

Spotlight – Flyctory.com meets Ryan Laird (7th October 2020)
Read More

Spotlight – Flyctory.com meets Tori Martin (5th October 2020)
Read More

Spotlight – Flyctory.com meets Emily Lockett (16th September 2020)
Read More

Spotlight – Flyctory.com Meets Riley Whittaker (6th September 2020)
Read More

Spotlight – Flyctory.com meets Jackie Therrien (3rd September 2020)
Read More

Spotlight – Flyctory.com meets Jim “Kimo” West (13th August 2020)
Read More

Spotlight – Flyctory.com meets Tiffany Johnson (12th August 2020)
Read More

Spotlight – Flyctory.com meet Sandra North (10th August 2020)
Read More

Spotlight – Flyctory.com meets Roderick August (28th July 2020)
Read More

Spotlight – Flyctory.com meets Carolyn Miller (10th June 2020)
Read More

Spotlight – Flyctory.com meets Kimi Most (6th June 2020)
Read More

Spotlight – Flyctory.com meets Lucy LaForge / Lucy & La Mer (31st May 2020)
Read More

Spotlight – Flyctory.com meets Tommy Atkins (18th May 2020)
Read More

Spotlight – Flyctory.com meets Rob Favotto (11th May 2020)
Read More

Spotlight – Flyctory.com meets Sylvia Aimee (5th May 2020)
Read More

Spotlight – Flyctory.com meets Frank Renfordt / The Cumberland River Project (30th April 2020)
Read More

Spotlight – Flyctory.com meets Lauren Jenkins (19th April 2020)
Read More

Spotlight – Flyctory.com meets Lerocque (15th April 2020)
Read More

Spotlight – Interview with Jake Aldridge (9th April 2020)
Read More

Spotlight – Flyctory.com meets Nik Wallner (12th March 2020)
Read More

Spotlight – Flyctory.com meets Van De Forst (5th March 2020)
Read More