Metal/Review Bastion's Wake - Go Tell the Bees

Bastion's Wake, hailing from Wilmington, DE, United States, is a band that has sculpted a unique sound blending melodic death, doom influences, and symphonic power metal. Formed in 2016 by Sami and Ray, the duo's journey evolved as they overcame the challenge of finding the right members to complete their lineup. With the addition of drummer Rob Westbrook and bassist Ben Westbrook in 2019, Bastion's Wake has solidified their sound.

With “Go Tell the Bees,” Bastion’s Wake presents their most emotionally resonant and artistically accomplished work to date — a conceptual album steeped in grief, transformation, and the fragile spark of renewed hope. Rather than shying away from life’s shadows, the band leans into them, crafting a narrative that feels both mythic and deeply human. Each track carries its own emotional weight, yet together they form a cohesive journey through sorrow, remembrance, and the slow reawakening that follows loss.

Standout songs like “Willow’s Ruse,” “Pathos,” and “Tiny Box” showcase the band’s ability to balance raw vulnerability with musical force. “Willow’s Ruse” sways between melancholy and resilience, while “Pathos” delivers an introspective punch through its textured arrangements and haunting lyricism. “Tiny Box,” perhaps the album’s most intimate moment, captures grief in miniature — a soft-spoken meditation that lingers long after it ends.

Recorded at Electric Fossil Studios in Milford, DE, with engineer Kirby Fitzgerald, the album benefits from a grounded, organic foundation. Yet it is Øystein G. Brun’s production at Crosound Studio in Norway that elevates the project into something cinematic. Under his guidance, Bastion’s Wake’s sound broadens — strings swell, atmospheres deepen, and the emotional contours of each song are sharpened with clarity and intention.

“Go Tell the Bees” is more than a collection of songs; it’s a ritual of remembrance and release. Bastion’s Wake channels their grief into an immersive, cathartic experience that marks a significant step forward in their artistic evolution.