Back when I first heard the Our Bodies EP in 2008, I was immediately amazed by the amount of talent contained in Belle Epoque. While new to what is an existing genre, the album boasted various elements of creativity and strong musicianship that came together to represent what I consider one of the best hardcore bands to come around the scene, and one to keep an eye on in the future.

With Wicked Ones and Thieves, Belle Epoque returns with a solid effort, which builds on the unique sound that is associated with the band. Not only do you get the same creativity and complex lyrics that were found on Our Bodies, but the listener is also welcomed to appreciate what can be considered an evolution of the band. While Wicked Ones and Thieves does has some of the signature breakdowns and vocals that were heard on Bodies, the album takes a different approach this time around. I was surprised to hear that overall, there were less breakdowns and chaotic (yet exceptionally amazing) vocals that were written in previous tracks. Although this is true, I noticed myself dumbfounded by the structure of every song. On Wicked, the speed is turned down a notch in order to fully encapsulate the listener with raw power and force behind the concept of the album.

The album begins with its title track, an appropriate opener for the EP that is a good example of what the listener will be hearing throughout Wicked Ones. The song keeps a steady flow and welcomes you with some of variety that we have come to know from the band. In songs “Have Fear…For It Is Revealed” and “We Are The Bold”, Belle does a very good job of setting up the atmospheres with various changes in melodies and tone. The second half of “Have Fear” comes with a solid breakdown, which surprisingly erupts towards the end of the song, and successfully assists in carrying over a lasting effect until the end of the album.

Wicked Ones and Thieves ends with two of the bests songs that Belle Epoque has put out to date: “Keeping The Innocent”, and “We Will Be Delivered”. “Keeping The Innocent” is a complete departure from the previous sound that we heard on Bodies, and works as one of the best songs on the album, and also serves as a highlight of the band’s work to date. The song starts off with a soft melody backed by strong lyrics spoken softly by vocalist, Kyle Istook: “Uplift, throw fists in the air / Lets stir things up while they are carelessly filing themselves into futile lines.” Immediately after, the song explodes into a heavy burst of sound that flows from the speakers like an anthem for a generation.

“Innocent” is easily one of the best tracks on the album, yet “We Will Be Delivered” stands as a perfect example of the unique force of sound and power that Belle is capable of delivering. At first, the song can pass for something straight off of Our Bodies, but quickly progresses into other territories of tone that serve to build up the tension and emotion for the overall ambience of the track. The song eventually reaches a hair raising finale, which relies on the energy of the entire band to electrify the listener: “When I get to the gates I will say / Pass judgment on me, pass judgment / When I get to the gates I will say / Deliver me, deliver me with grace”. With these final two songs back to back, the album comes to an effective and magnificent close.

Wicked Ones and Thieves is a success for Belle Epoque and is a definite must listen for fans of the genre. Not only is the listener presented with solid creativeness and intensity from a very talented band, but is also taken through a series of emotionally powerful set pieces that connect the album together. It will be interesting to see where the band will go with their next release, and I find myself, yet again, in anticipation. Highly recommended.