| Musical Style: Metal/Hard Rock | Produced By: Torbjörn Weinesjö & Bethesda |
| Record Label: Roxx Records | Country Of Origin: Sweden |
| Year Released: 2026 | Artist Website: |
| Tracks: 11 | Rating: 95% |
| Running Time: 59:22 |
With its name drawn from the pool in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate where sick people gathered believing its waters had healing properties and where Jesus performed a miraculous healing (from John 5:2-15) and meaning ‘House of Mercy’ or ‘House of Grace’, Bethesda is an ‘all star project’ featuring vocalist Germán Pascual (Narnia) and guitarist Torbjörn Weinesjö (Veni Domine). The group describes its January of 2026 Roxx Records self-titled debut as ‘being a labor of love’ in light of how its inception traces to 2014 but due to ‘life not permitting such endeavors at the time’, recording did not pick up pace until 2022. Rounding out the Bethesda roster is brother and drummer Thomas Weinesjö and bassist Gabriel Ingemarson (both also Veni Domine).
Perhaps it is from Germán Pascual and Torbjörn Weinesjö embodying its core roster, but initial expectation is Bethesda to sound similar to the projects in which the two are better known: melodic power metal to Narnia and his pair of highly regarded solo albums (former) and epic progressive doom metal of Veni Domine (latter). Whereas you will find influence to either side of the musical fence to its songwriting, Bethesda is its own band with a unique style I find combining equal parts eighties heavy metal and seventies classic hard rock. When further factoring the occasional progressive distinction, the picture is complete as it pertains to the well-rounded Bethesda sound.
Initial cut “Power” manifests everything that works well with Bethesda. On one hand, it gives prominence to bundles of catchy low-end groove and empirical hooks to establish firsthand melodic eccentricity. On the other, the Germán Pascual (varied vocal affinity to go for a high note or reach down for lower register grit) and Torbjörn Weinesjö (dedicated riff purpose with a bluesy soloing affinity) partnership flows seamlessly. Lyric snippet:
For the ones that seek the real
The man from Nazareth
Is alive and hears every prayer in your breath
And the spirit finds its way
Through the winding maze
And the holy will find a way to stay
Power
For the ones who pray
“This is The End” ups acceleration to expedited territory. Song flows freely its span at a prompt tempo, emanating a lithe if not buoyant feel, only decelerating for the occasional darker thrash hued passage in which vocals touch upon a guttural depth. Hooks again are of a gripping capacity.
“The Path And The Circle” maintains the supple manifesting. It ups heaviness as verse sections ripple with tempting affection - distinguishing Ingemarson’s unwavering bass line - and chorus multiplies intensity indicative of the appreciable harmonies, the exuberant motives draw in at once. Thomas Weinesjö shines with his voracious timekeeping. Lyric snippet:
Forgiveness is the beginning
Makes our hearts unfold
Helping out your brother
Is the wisdom told
The sign is in the sky
Jesus is the center
From which all evolve
“I Will Return” is first of albums two epics in excess of seven minutes. It brings a melancholic Gothic progressiveness akin to 2004 fourth Veni Domine album The Album Of Labour, downcast and moody in terms of somber vestiges (as denuded by the doleful refrain with uneasy backing vocals), albeit picking up-tempo to lively guitars and stirring harmonies for the lifted verse sections. Group goes instrumentally improvisational for the final minute.
“Caving In” is another upstanding track. Revealing the Bethesda bluesy hard rock side, it evokes images of Bride with an earthly slide guitar shuffle and ambling bass as Pascual reveals a soulful aspect to his vocal abilities. Refrain echoes of the beckoning found in the incorporeal vocal melodies to support. It is a challenge to keep the irrefutable melody out of your head. Lyric snippet:
See how the world is cavin’ in
The judgement brought upon ourselves
See how creation’s cavin’ in
The fall is far beyond redemption alone
Say the name, get in the game
Say the name again
Say the name, leave the shame
Say the name again
“Fire In Me” trends the lower register doom like with its plodding mentality as dogged metal guitars and unflagging harmonies collide to make an unfaltering statement. Gist is a work not alluring in a catchy sense but rather overriding from a powerful riff standpoint. Shred guitar burnishes the ominously haunting instrumental moments.
Loosely falling within a melodic power metal category, “I Put My Faith In You” chugs its span to brazen rhythm guitar and soaring harmonies over a feverish low-end bedrock. Intermittent double kick drum rises to the surface to invigorate the rollicking Narnia inspired enthusiasm. This one would not sound out of place on sixth Narnia album Course Of A Generation in which Pascual fronted. Lyric snippet:
When loneliness strikes the anonymous
And rage will consume the alone
No one to see the unsung heroes
No one to hear what needs to be told
Hear our cry
As shadows will grow
(I put my faith in You)
There’s no lie
In the tears touching the ground
Back to bluesy hard rock with “Lens Of Time”. Song slides and shuffles its four and half minutes to a grainy (and wonderfully catchy) melody, earthy vocal melodies and baleful bass in making another Bride enlivened statement. Torbjörn’s bluesy lead guitar echoes of Troy Thompson (Bride) and Glenn Kaiser (Resurrection Band).
Another great song ensues in “Holy Ground”, a straightforward metal bludgeoner impelling with its considerable guitar outpouring and unambiguous temperament. Despite the impinging focus, accessibility ends up not compromised as once more forthright hooks power to the surface- a Bethesda specialty.
“The Night” continues the streak of great songs. It proves another straight on hard rocker, opening to a drum solo ahead of a bluesy joining of the rhythm guitar and Hammond B3 compelling it ahead as deeply woven (and incredibly catchy) backing vocals continuously repeat songs title. Bluesy hard rock perfectly fits the Bethesda perfectly- I sense a touch of Sarepta on this one. Lyric snippet:
And something died, so deep inside
Inhaled from the wells of spirits
Around and round, history will find
Souls that changed their ways to freedom
The spark is there for everyone
The spark will start something new
The Holy Spirit is for everyone
And He will start something new
Album closes to its final epic in the eight minute “As The Time Goes By”. Song follows a swarthy Veni Domine styled pattern as “I Will Return”, blanketed in trenchant momentum as barbed remnants and downtrodden residuals cast a forlorn pall. That said, an endearing side to “As The Time Goes By” reveals in form of the lightly vocal melody woven ‘my heart will settle down, as the time goes by’ refrain. I appreciate how impetus decelerates for the extended run of straight from the Album Of Labour playbook bluesy lead guitar.
It might be too early in the year for such pronouncement, but what we have in the Bethesda self-titled debut is a potential album of the year candidate. As such is the case with upper tier albums, songwriting is spot on in featuring great song after great song, whether heavier focused, bluesy hard rock aligned or fitting within a progressive formatting. The merging of Germán Pascual with Veni Domine members Torbjörn & Thomas Weinesjö and Gabriel Ingemarson is hand in glove in terms of near perfect continuity. I cannot help but give Bethesda the highest recommendation and encourage making it an immediate priority purchase.
Review by Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: “Power” (4:42), “This Is The End” (4:20), “The Path And The Circe” (4:46), “I Will Return” (7:10), “Caving In” (4:53), “Fire In Me” (4:27), “I Put My Faith In You” (5:10), “Lens Of Time” (4:26), “Holy Ground” (5:14), “The Night” (5:51), “As The Time Goes By” (8:20)
Musicians
Germán Pascual - Lead Vocals
Torbjörn Weinesjö - Guitars
Gabriel Ingemarson - Bass
Thomas Weinesjö - Drums
