Metalcatto
There are musical projects with wildly ambitious dreams—like making a sustainable living from metal—and then there are the more humble endeavors that simply exist as an excuse for friends to create music together. That latter category seems to be where Beyond the Pale firmly resides. A band that began its battle during the isolating days of the pandemic, it’s are now ready to release its debut full-length, Monument in Time, which promises a savage and unrefined fusion of Death and Thrash Metal. I’m continually surprised by how infrequently these two genres are blended effectively, as the combination makes so much inherent sense. Anyway, let’s jump into the fray.
If you’ve ever wondered what a drunken bar fight involving knives might feel like (not that I would know… right?), then this album should provide a visceral answer. Monument in Time is extremely dirty, rancid in tone, and prioritizes raw speed above all else. There is no attempt here to inject drama or solemnity; the mission is pure, unadulterated chaos. You’ll feel like you’re rolling in a grimy, waste-filled pit from start to finish. While there are occasional tempo variations and rhythmic shifts, the overall experience is as nasty as it gets in terms of sheer attitude and conviction. And yes, like any worthwhile Thrash album, it carries a palpable political charge, though the style makes the lyrics largely indecipherable.
The vocal performance commands significant attention. It avoids typical Thrash shouting or ultra-low Death growls, opting instead for a more frantic, hysterical shriek that pushes the music in a uniquely subversive direction. Yet, what I found most interesting is how, despite the clearly unpretentious and straightforward approach to songwriting, Beyond the Pale‘s tracks are densely packed with riffs and ideas. This richness makes the songs last noticeably longer than one usually expects from a band of this raw nature, which leads me to the godless criticism. Well, you know I’m not so mean—unless provoked, of course.
My primary critique is that the tracks do feel somewhat overextended. While Monument in Time is full of engaging, energetic moments, I suspect trimming perhaps thirty seconds from several songs would have made the entire experience even more hostile, direct, and ultimately replayable. The band is new on the scene, so I understand the inclination to stick to its strong suit. However, I would have liked to hear what else they are capable of beyond this sustained barrage—a note I seem to write for almost every promising young band.
Ultimately, Beyond the Pale delivers a potent dose of classic Thrash attitude, accentuated with glimpses of Death Metal’s brutality. If you’re seeking something less formulaic than standard genre fare but that avoids numbing you with relentless, monotonous blast beats, then Monument in Time is an album worth your time. After all, who doesn’t need a work that violently brings them back to the “fun” times of the pandemic years? I mean, am I the only one who wrote an entire thesis back then in total peace and quiet? Those were the days!
Label: Black Metal Archives
Release date: January 30, 2026
Website: https://beyondthepale.nl/
Country: Netherlands
Score: 3.5/5.0
Metal Eclipse Reviews 