Website: Benedictum
The Inside Pulse:
Apparently, someone out there knows who Benedictum is — they’re opening a few dates in Europ for Guns ‘n’ Roses. Fresh out of Cali, the massive quintet is fronted by chanteuse Veronica Freeman, but not in the way you would imagine. Rather than your sullen Amy Lee or your dainty Liv Kristine, Ms. Freeman backs up her powerful alto with a ferociousness that puts most of her male contemporaries to shame. Combine this with a strong group of musicians, and it’s a massive force.
Positives: Uncreation just plain sounds awesome. “Two Steps To the Sun” and their self-titled song “Benedictum” incorporate Latin without being kitschy and “Misogyny” is enough to scare any chauvinist into a quivering mass of whimpering. Benedictum has power and knows how to use it.
Negatives: Two Sabbath covers? One is a great tribute, but two is just plain lazy. But disregarding the filler, Benedictum’s weakness is in some of their lyrics. “Ashes To Ashes” and “#4” are fine, but as fierce as they sound, “Wicca” and “Valkyrie Rising” are abound with cliche. And “Them,” well, I appreciate the sentiment and all, but telling people to “bite me” repeatedly isn’t exactly Shakespeare. Chick rhymes with dick, but they really didn’t need to go that route, either. A metal band can be fronted by a female without fixating on it.
Cross-breed: Chimera meets Otep, both sonically and lyrically, fronted by a demonic possession of Toni Braxton.
Reason To Buy: Cringeworthy lyrics aside, it’s a pretty good listen. Benedictum would please American metal fans, even if they’re not just blinded by the boobs.
