BAEST
Colossal

Baest, from Denmark, present their fourth album Colossal. Death metal in the most classic style, it’s one of the “newer” bands that, in my opinion, have a very interesting proposal. One of the main attractions of Baest is the powerful voice of Simon Olsen. Though the album remains rooted in pure death metal, Colossal is their most “experimental” effort yet—time flies while listening. The inclusion of more heavy metal–sounding riffs across the album feels like a statement: we are here to blow your heads off. It’s a more Heavy Metal–focused album in terms of both riff style and pace.

There are also some standout collaborations: Jesper Binzer, AOR singer from D-A-D, appears on ‘King of the Sun’, and ORM joins in on ‘Misfortunate Son’. ‘Stormbringer’ is a very heavy-sounding song that contrasts nicely with Simon’s death metal vocals. It grabbed my attention immediately and remains my favorite after several listens. ‘Misfortunate Son’, cheekily referencing ‘Fortunate Son’, is a super fun and punchy track. Meanwhile, ‘Light the Beacons’ and ‘Elysian Nights’ are fully acoustic songs done in a classic ’80s heavy metal style, adding even more range to the album.

The blend of heavy and death metal isn’t common to begin with, but Baest are proving themselves masters of the mix. For fans expecting “pure caveman riffs,” this album might come as a surprise—especially compared to their earlier releases. But the band’s evolution is both clear and commendable, and Colossal feels like a bold, confident step forward in both musicianship and creative direction.