Unusual, Uncomparable, Uncompromising... Unique
For the 3rd Beyond The Labyrinth album, "Chapter III - Stories", BTL chose a whole different approach. "Castles in the Sand", the band's 2nd album was a concept album meant to be listened to at once, while each of the songs could hold up by themselves as well.
"Chapter III - Stories" is like a book of short stories that can be read individually, over and over again. Between autumn 2009 and spring 2011, the band released the songs as singles, in a “Work In Progress” mind set. Some of the singles eventually ended up being partially rerecorded because Michel Lodder joined the band in 2010, replacing John Van Tongelen.
Jo De Boeck - Lead Vocals
Geert Fieuw - Guitar, Song Writing, Orchestration and Keyboards, Backing Vocals
Gerry Verstreken - Bass
Michel Lodder - Drums and Percussion
Someone said the 80's were back ...To Beyond The Labyrinth, they were never gone....
Combining crunchy guitars with classic song writing and cinematic orchestration, Beyond The Labyrinth's Classic/Melodic Hard Rock is influenced by a wide range of musical styles, from genuine 70's Classic Rock and pop, over A.O.R., 80's Metal to symphonic, progressive, gothic ….
For "Chapter III - Stories", Beyond The Labyrinth took a "no filler" approach: each song stands for a story waiting to be discovered, each song has its own value and meaning, and is able to stand its ground. You can either choose to listen to the album in its normal track sequence or hit your "shuffle" button and allow yourself to be surprised!
All stories are real - some are sweet and romantic, some are harsh, grim and cold...
The album contains fan favourites "Hidden Agenda", "Oceans Apart" and "The Peter Principle", (also available as video clips).
"Chapter III - Stories" was mastered by Pieter De Wagter of Equus, best known for his work with mainstream acts like DJ Tiesto, Stromae, dEUS, Soulwax …
Guest Participation : Lisa LaRue : additional keyboards on “Hypersensitive”
Chapter III - Stories (2011) (CD)
Tracklisting:
1. The Girl With The X-Ray Eyes
2. Where Kindred Spirits Meet
6. The Darkest Page
7. Saturation Point
8. Stories Waiting To Be Told
9. Raise The Horns
10. Hypersensitive
12. Strength
Total playing time: 59:43 min
Catalog number :
Incommunicado Records - BTL 2011
Chapter III - Stories (Digital Rerelease 2018)
Tracklisting:
1. The Girl With The X-Ray Eyes
2. Where Kindred Spirits Meet
6. The Darkest Page
7. Saturation Point
8. Stories Waiting To Be Told
9. Raise The Horns
10. Hypersensitive
12. Strength
13. Saturation Point (2009 WIP single)
14. Hypersensitive (2009 WIP single)
15. Hidden Agenda (2009 WIP single)
16. Stories Waiting To Be Told (2009 WIP Single)
17. Oceans Apart (2009 WIP single)
18. Where Kindred Spirits Meet (2009 WIP single)
19. Oceans Apart (electric version)
20. Hidden Agenda (Unreleased 2007)
The 2018 Digital rerelease features 8 bonus tracks :
“Saturation Point”, “Hypersensitive”, “Hidden Agenda”, “Stories Waiting To be Told”, “Oceans Apart” and where “Kindred Spirits Meet” were initially released as a Work In Progress single with John Van Tongelen on Drums.
Especially “Saturation Point”, already a rework from an early 90’s song by Geert (link) was extensively reworked.
Jo De Boeck - Lead Vocals
Geert Fieuw - Guitar, Song Writing, Orchestration and Keyboards, Backing Vocals
Gerry Verstreken - Bass
John Van Tongelen - Drums and Percussion
—
Oceans Apart (electric version)
happened when Michel Lodder decided to record the drum parts in Phil Collins “In The Air Tonight” style with the first half on digital drums and the second part on real drums. Unfortunately, not everybody in the band liked this approach and it was discarded in favor of a “full natural drums”. Geert and Michel still see this version as their favorite one …
Jo De Boeck - Lead Vocals
Geert Fieuw - Guitar, Song Writing, Orchestration and Keyboards, Backing Vocals
Gerry Verstreken - Bass
Michel Lodder - Electronic and Acoustic Drums
Hidden Agenda (unreleased, 2007) is a very special one.
In between the “Signs” and “Castles in the Sand” albums, 3 key members including lead singer quit Beyond The Labyrinth leading to the decision to record an E.P. featuring 1 new song (“Hidden Agenda”), remakes of “Shine” and “In Perpetual Motion” and “P-Machinery”, a Propaganda cover. The E.P. was never released due to line-up changes and costs involved.
The 2007 version of Hidden Agenda has a more Nightwish-kind of approach to it than later version due to the contribution of the late Joyce Dijkgraaf on vocals
Dave Varlet - Lead Vocals
Joyce Dijkgraaf - Guest Vocals
Geert Fieuw - Guitar, Song Writing
Gerry Verstreken - Bass
Danny Focke - Keyboards
Filip Vinck - Drums
