Apart from DYECREST and PERSUADER among the last three contestants of “Young Metal Gods”, also the Germans of BEYOND SURFACE got signed by Noise Records, with the result of “Destination’s End”. They also are praised as winners, as already PERSUADER and DYECREST, a bit odd that apparently all three have won the contest, but that only on the side.

The Mainz-based band has chosen Gothic Rock, which here and there reminds me of a certain three letter formation from Finland, as already DYECREST and PERSUADER before, IRON SAVIOR mastermind Piet Sielck has produced it, so the sound side definitely is no problem, how does the music sound then?

That one has a slightly harder stand with me than for example PERSUADER, no, not because they are not Power Metal, but because they have a lot less originality than the Swedes: now Gothic Rock/Metal is not necessarily more populated than Power Metal and I like the collective Gothic troop, which mostly recruits from Finland, so the situation would not be the worst.

And the guys also bring us very mature sounding Gothic Rock, which can take on the biggies from the land of the thousand lakes style wise, the opener “From The Mountain“ rocks away very nicely, with good guitars and piano, before “My Fading Love” adds some more Gothic and on “The Cure” do not go after the Brits, but the already mentioned (ok, hinted at) H.I.M.

“Words Burn Down Like Fire“ is a very nice Gothic Rock ballad, emotional, with piano and expressive vocals, while “Funeral For Sarah” lets the guitars loose a bit more. Also the closing duo “The Dreaming Beauty“ and “One Step“ has got something, after which we still get a cover version, “Come Back And Stay“, a classic from the Eighties, back then done my Paul Young, not a bad one, but it lacks something to make it really good.

“Destination’s End“ has turned out to be a good debut, which in my opinion cannot fully compete with the other two “Young Metal Gods“ (yet), which surely also is because they are quite a bit closer to their influences as that I could give it a better rating, but still, a debut with promise and a band that one should keep an eye open for! (Online March 24, 2004)