Bethesda: Bethesda | When Powerhouses Come Together
(2026 – Roxx Records)
I was particularly curious to hear how the unique combination proposed by this new project called Bethesda would sound. In other words, if we combine the former members of Veni Domine with a certain Germán Pascual (former vocalist of Narnia), the result could be indecipherable, and while some tracks had been previewed on social media, listening to this album in its entirety is something else entirely—and a matter of pending interest. Well, we finally have the chance to get our hands on this debut album from Bethesda. Let’s see what these guys have up their sleeves.
First of all, to think that because the members of Bethesda are former members of well-known bands, their influence might be marked by things from the past is a mistake—a huge mistake. Contrary to what one might think, both Germán Pascual and the Weinesjö brothers set aside their pasts and give birth to something new, totally surprising, and even musically impeccable.
The thing is, even though Bethesda doesn’t draw on their past, they don’t neglect the fact that they’re great musicians, and on this album, they not only prove it but also take an unexpected turn, with a sound immersed in a sort of search for something different—the hard rock sound of the ’70s blended with the alternative vibe of the ’90s. But that’s not all Bethesda has to offer.
The first track, which is also the lead single from this album, gives us a clue as to the path Bethesda has chosen for their debut release. “Power,” with its deep, catchy riff, takes us through a time tunnel to remind us how a band should sound when it has more than enough material to deliver a great album. “This Is The End” confirms that we’re in for a great album, with a powerful song that has a certain “Sabbath-esque” feel to its conception and just the right melodies in the best ’70s style.
With “Path And The Circle,” the rhythm takes us on a journey through a kind of melodic hard rock that’s closer to the ’80s but with certain echoes of what Rainbow might sound like, to name a possible influence. The song reveals its full potential, and those riffs—without making too much of a splash—are reason enough to showcase a beautiful, melodic track.
The vibe shifts completely with “I Will Return.” Moving at a moderate pace but with conviction, Bethesda takes us on an introspective and melodic journey through a kind of progressive rock with a strong ’90s influence in its conception. “Giving In” is another twist from Bethesda. With plenty of blues and that ‘Southern’ rock vibe, we find the best of the album’s “alternative” side. The bass and guitar lines, accompanied by Germán Pascual’s melodies on vocals, are a real gem.
In “Fire In Me,” we find a Bethesda that leans more toward melodic and progressive metal, driven by deep, slow riffs that set the pace for the entire song—unlike “I Put My Faith In You,” which is built on a much more agile foundation and, on the one hand, evokes the heaviness of the ’70s with choruses straight out of the ’90s; an interesting combination, no doubt, and also one of the singles chosen for this album. With “Lens Of Time,” it becomes abundantly clear that Bethesda is burning the books on musical labels, taking us to the rockier, bluesier, and more emotional side of ’90s alternative. That certain something from that era makes itself felt once again, and Bethesda seamlessly weaves it into a song that is as simple as it is direct.
“Holy Ground” blends Hard Rock with the most resonant elements of ’70s Metal, in a track that’s both agile and melodic, taking us back to the beginning of the time tunnel yet sounding current and fresh, putting the finishing touch on a flawless work that’s intelligent and original enough to make you sit up and take notice.
Our version of this first Bethesda album comes with two bonus tracks, which appear only on the CD version, since the vinyl lacks both the energetic “The Night” and the atmospheric and decidedly bluesy “As Time Goes By,” two more gems that fit perfectly into this first Bethesda album.
Bethesda’s sound blends classic ’70s hard rock with elements of ’90s alternative rock, featuring several nods to old-school metal and those bluesy touches that tug at the heartstrings of the casual listener. Excellence is evident, and despite the diversity of the sound, the cohesion of the concept remains a constant throughout the album, ensuring it never loses momentum.
Undoubtedly, what makes this interesting lies not only in the originality of Bethesda’s approach but also in the album’s production, the journey through different moods it takes us on, and the performance by its members, who more than prove themselves to be the excellent musicians that make up this band.
And speaking of production, what can be said about the sound? They have truly done a great job with the recording, mixing, and mastering, striking a perfect balance between the contemporary and that distinctive vintage sound of old ’70s records. The emphasis on the guitars also makes the journey Bethesda proposes truly enjoyable and immersive in its sound.
Bethesda’s debut album features a cover design that resembles an old letter with a letterhead. It’s nothing particularly groundbreaking, but it clearly conveys the message the band wants to send—and perhaps, over time, it could even become an iconic symbol of the album. Inside the sleeve, in addition to the lyrics, there are photographs of the band members, and the design follows the same style as the cover. A simple yet attractive design, one might say, and it’s worth noting that this album is available not only on CD but also on vinyl—which is highly recommended.
Bethesda has managed to create a great work with this debut album, the result of several years of composition, production, and preparation. The result is more than excellent, and surely those who enjoy the “old-school” side of Hard Rock/Metal shouldn’t miss out on this. Bethesda awaits you with a great album and an excellent journey through the past brought into the present.
At the moment, there is no official music video for the band or this album, but there is a lead single, which we’ve included below to give you an idea of the band’s direction. We’ve also included the social media handles for German Pascual and the Roxx Records label so you can follow them and stay updated on their latest news….
https://www.facebook.com/germanpascualofficial
https://www.facebook.com/Roxx.Productions
