The best melodic death metal, I think, works on two levels. It should be accessible on first listen. The hooks on their own should put a smile on your face. But it should also be the case that, on subsequent listens, the music remains interesting, and new wells of complexity are discovered to appreciate. Stone's Reach lives up to that high bar, which is why I am giving it a 3.
Moderate tolerance for screaminess is required, but if you're ok with that, then Stone's Throw is incredibly easy to listen to. It's smooth like good decaf coffee. Be'lakor has excellent intuition for how long to let one hook sink in before moving on to the next one, and the transitions within tracks are seamless. Stone's Throw doesn't demand your full attention: you can lean back, play some games on your phone, and the music won't get in your way.
But, if you do give the album your attention, you will be richly rewarded. My favorite tracks take the listener on an elaborate journey. "Sun's Delusion" wanders all over the place, exploring variations on a badass melody, before gently coming to rest. There is a driving percussion section, a soulful guitar section, a haunted piano section, and plenty of opportunities for the vocalist to growl. "Held In Hollows" opens with a intellectual puzzle: can you figure out the time signature for this syncopated beat?
The album is also remarkably consistent. There isn't a track that I didn't enjoy or wouldn't recommend. The craftsmanship is praiseworthy.
Altogether, definitely one of the best albums that I will encounter this year.
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