Be'lakor

Be'lakor is an Australian melodic death metal band from Melbourne, Victoria. The band's name originates from the character Be'lakor the Dark Master, in the Warhammer Fantasy game setting.[1]

Be'lakor
OriginMelbourne, Victoria, Australia
GenresMelodic death metal, progressive death metal
Years active2004 (2004)–present
LabelsKolony Records, Prime Cuts Music, Descent Productions, Napalm Records
MembersGeorge Kosmas
Shaun Sykes
Steven Merry
John Richardson
Elliott Sansom
Past membersJimmy Vanden Broeck
Websitewww.belakorband.com

History

Be'lakor formed as a band in 2004, but did not start playing live shows until 2005.[2] In 2007, the band self-released[2] their debut album, The Frail Tide, which received generally positive reviews.[1][3] In 2008, Be'lakor signed with Descent Productions, and re-released The Frail Tide in digipack form.[4] In 2009, Be'lakor embarked on a national tour, and signed with Prime Cuts Music.[5] Their second album, Stone's Reach, was released on 20 June 2009[4] and received much praise by reviewers.[6][7] In November 2009, Be'lakor signed with Kolony Records.[8]

In March 2010, Be'lakor's album Stone's Reach took first place in Metal Storm's "Best Melodeath/Gothenburg Metal Album" for 2009.[9] Be'lakor also supported Turisas on their national tour of Australia in May. They were the opening act for Alestorm in Melbourne for their "PLUNDER DOWNUNDER” tour in June 2010. The band also performed at the Summer Breeze Open Air Festival in Germany in August 2010.[10]

Be'lakor released their third album Of Breath and Bone in June 2012. They began touring Europe, playing Brutal Assault in the Czech Republic. They also performed at the Summer Breeze Open Air Festival in Germany during August 2012. They supported Apocalyptica in Melbourne during their 2012 Australia tour in September, and At the Gates in Melbourne during their tour in November.

In August 2015, the band returned to Europe and played Brutal Assault in Czechia,[11] Rockstadt Open Air in Romania[12] and Summer Breeze.[13] Matt Dodds of Arbrynth took over lead guitar duties for Shaun due to illness.

On 21 September 2015, the band announced that their fourth album would be released in March 2016. Later, on 29 December, drummer Jimmy Vanden Broeck left the band to pursue other musical ventures. He was replaced by Elliott Sansom, who also performs with Melbourne-based bands Dusk Cult & Okera.[14] On 24 June 2016 Be'lakor released Vessels, the band's fourth album.[15] Coherence followed five years later, on 29 October 2021.

Members

Current members

  • George Kosmas – vocals, guitars (2004–present)
  • Shaun Sykes – guitars (2004–present)
  • Elliott Sansom – drums (2015–present)
  • Steven Merry – keyboards, piano (2004–present)
  • John Richardson – bass (2004–present)

Former members

  • Jimmy Vanden Broeck – drums (2004–2015)

Touring members

  • Matt Dodds – guitars (2015)

Timeline

Endorsements

Discography

Awards and nominations

Music Victoria Awards

The Music Victoria Awards are an annual awards night celebrating Victorian music. They commenced in 2006.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
Music Victoria Awards of 2016 Vessels Best Heavy Album Won [17][18]

References
  1. Lords Of Metal - Issue 77: January 2008 (January 2008). "Be'lakor". Lords of Metal. Retrieved 28 November 2009.
  2. Pardo, Pete (25 October 2009). "Interviews: Australia's Be'lakor Avoid the Sophomore Jinx with Stone's Reach". Sea of Tranquility. Retrieved 28 November 2009.
  3. "Belakor, The Frail Tide". The Metal Forge. Retrieved 28 November 2009.
  4. deathbringer (22 May 2008). "Be'lakor Signs With Descent Productions". Metal Underground. Retrieved 28 November 2009.
  5. deathbringer (1 June 2009). "Be'lakor Announces Australian Tour". Metal Underground. Retrieved 28 November 2009.
  6. "Be'lakor - "Stone's Reach" (Australia)". Masterful Magazine. Archived from the original on 31 October 2009. Retrieved 28 November 2009.
  7. Pardo, Pete (7 September 2009). "Review: "Be'lakor: Stone's Reach" - Sea of Tranquility". Sea of Tranquility. Retrieved 28 November 2009.
  8. xFiruath (20 November 2009). "Be'lakor Signs To Kolony Records". Metal Underground. Archived from the original on 23 November 2009. Retrieved 28 November 2009.
  9. The Best Melodeath/Gothenburg Metal Album. MetalStorm.net. Retrieved 16 September 2010.
  10. News/Newsletter Archived 2010-05-04 at the Wayback Machine. Summer-Breeze.de. Retrieved 16 September 2010 and 2012.
  11. "Be'lakor Setlist at Brutal Assault XX". setlist.fm. Retrieved 2018-02-16.
  12. "Be'lakor Setlist at Rockstadt Extreme Festival 2015". setlist.fm. Retrieved 2018-02-16.
  13. "Be'lakor Setlist at Summer Breeze 2015". setlist.fm. Retrieved 2018-02-16.
  14. "Elliott Sansom - Encyclopaedia Metallum: The Metal Archives".
  15. Release details of Vessels. belakorband.com. Retrieved 30 September 2016.
  16. "www.spectorbass.com/CompleteArtistList". www.spectorbass.com. Retrieved 2018-02-16.
  17. "Previous Nominess". Music Victoria. Archived from the original on 19 September 2020. Retrieved 13 August 2020.
  18. "Previous Winners". Music Victoria. Archived from the original on 31 July 2019. Retrieved 13 August 2020.
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