Betray-Ed - The Depressive (EP) (2008)

It is through Lunar Hypnosis’ own J.M. that I got into Betray-Ed, by following his advice and ordering “Woods of Eternity” which was reviewed by Grimmenfrost right here on LH. Ultimately, one thing led to another and I got to correspond regularly with François, Betray-Ed’s creator, heart, and soul. With his help, devotion and generosity, I'm privileged with an in depth exploration of his work with this particular project and after listening a few times to “The Depressive (EP)”, I now feel like I have to write these words and post it here rather than privately sharing my thoughts with François on this EP.

As with his early and latest recordings, François manages to convey very intense emotions and imagery through his music and importantly enough, Betray-Ed’s distinctive sound can be recognize regardless of the album’s theme and complexity. And “The Depressive (EP)” is no exception to this. As one should expect, this work is dark, profound, full of melancholy, aggressive at times, and as depressive as the title suggest. Although influenced by doom and black metal, this album is minimalist; do not expect to hear anything more than François’ occasional painful vocals and his synth. While simple, the piano lines and melodies effectively express the profound, bleak, and caliginous state of mind François was in during the writing process of this EP. “Funeral” and the beautiful and touching “My Letter to No One” are good examples of this. The clean vocals are for the most part enhanced by several effects such as a simple echo on “Guilt” which is one of my favorite track on this album. And it is through cold and unsettling screams and shrieks, such as those heard on the second section of “Litanies of Evil (My Wounds Are Bleeding)”, that François manages to channel his pain, hatred and aggression. All these elements are presented with the right dosage, immerssing the listener into a depressive atmosphere which makes for an interesting 25-minute plunge into Betray-Ed's darkest hour.

On a negative note, “The Depressive (EP)” evidently does lack luster. But one should bear in mind that François did pretty much everything by himself in his “not-so-state-of-the-art” home studio. And it is through his experimentations with the synth and his “from the heart” and somewhat innocent writing style that this EP shines. Betray-Ed’s music is a work in progress. Each new album or EP is a step forward and a remarkable improvement over the previous recording and “The Depressive (EP)” was a necessary step for François’ maturity and fulfillment as an artist, and this goes for Betray-Ed as well, which makes this recording an essential listening experience for existing and future fans of Betray-Ed.