Belnejoum – Dark Tales of Zarathustra

I guess it was about time to return to Symphonic Black Metal. I mean, isn’t this what we all want every week? But in reality, these releases are few and far between. Enter Belnejoum, a project that, despite having one main writer, features collaborations from all corners of the Metalsphere (Fleshgod Apocalypse, Nile, Annihilator, to name a few). Dark Tales of Zarathustra—a title that instantly takes me back to my teenage years, lost in Nietzsche and Sartre books (what? I had a lonely and pretentious childhood!). So, how about we dive into the depth of this album?

This was a strange experience. On one hand, you get that full-blown Dimmu Borgir symphonic epicness, but taken to a more elaborate level, almost reaching Aquilus territory—especially in the interlude tracks. At the same time, the album showcases impressive technicality, courtesy of all the Tech Death minds involved in Dark Tales. I can’t shake the feeling that the album takes itself incredibly seriously. It’s not here for fun; it’s here to tell a tragic quest—one in pursuit of knowledge, only to end in greed and self-destruction. If anything, this is an opera in terms of musical structure, and that’s always interesting, right?

There were moments when I was certain Dark Tales was running on a mechanical drum track, but then I remembered that Kollias was still in the mix—and the dude plays so fast he basically reaches perceptual fusion territory (shameless plug: I did research in that field! But I won’t add a link, because I love being anonymous). Either way, I also kind of appreciate the production. Symphonic albums usually go one of two ways: either polished to a level that makes Metalcore look raw or as rancid as old Satyricon. Dark Tales sits somewhere in between.

The mask looks expensive!

I have to say, this is a strange trip. By being so unconventional, it makes choices that might alienate the average Metalhead. Some of you will love its 60% soft / 40% brutal approach, but at nearly 50 minutes long—with some tracks being full-blown odysseys—it can be a challenge. Pacing these kinds of albums is tough. Let’s be real, operas can run three hours too long. But fortunately, the issues here never go to that extreme.

I came expecting a cheap Symphonic Metal bootleg, but I left with a short philosophy lesson that threw me back to my angsty teenage years. That’s not a bad thing. It’s interesting to revisit those themes as an older (and slightly more emotionally stable) individual. Yes, Dark Tales is bizarre (I mean, that flute piece was just… not what I expected), but in this oversaturated market—where I’m beyond fed up with Old School Death and Black Metal—it’s refreshing to hear someone trying something different.

Label: Antiq

Release date: April 4, 2025

Website: https://www.facebook.com/Belnejoum/

Country: USA/Egypt and more!

Score: A rope over the abyss, or 3.5/5.0