BEAR – “Anhedonia” 10” EP (gatefold)

Description

BEAR’s sound is a calculated collision of technical precision and unfiltered aggression — a modern strain of European metal that balances math-inflected complexity with visceral, live-wire intensity. At the core of their identity a combination of brains and brute force.

With Anhedonia, Belgian heavyweights BEAR deliver five songs of pure adrenaline and unfiltered heaviness that capture a band confronting the strange emotional vacuum that can follow trauma. Anhedonia is both a battle cry and a confession; a visceral document of resilience carved from years marked by illness, loss, uncertainty, and hard-won perseverance.

“After writing “Vanta” which was written during a particularly unpleasant moment in my life (cancer, surgery, treatment, family deaths, breakups), I personally was able to exorcise a lot of demons, and since then a lot of incredible things have happened in my life. Making music has always been a big source of therapy for me, and these songs really represent this state I was in until recently; where I had a lot to be grateful for, but the trauma and pain I had experienced in the years before had created a certain level of numbness, apprehension, and indifference.“ (James Falck)

Musically, Anhedonia represents a sharpened evolution of BEAR’s already formidable sound. Known for their intricate rhythms, punishing riffs, and explosive intensity, the band made a conscious decision this time to strip away excess and focus on the core of each song. There is no wasted movement on this EP. Every riff lands with purpose. Every rhythmic shift feels earned. The band trimmed the fat without sacrificing identity, creating space for dynamics and melody to cut deeper than ever before.

“The songs are somewhat stripped back, allowing more space for Maarten’s vocals to really shine this time around. I feel like we really hit a great balance of maintaining our signature complex sound while also allowing for more experimentation and melody.“ (James Falck)

Guitarist Falck architects the band’s sonic framework with jagged, rhythmically intricate riffs that shift between dissonant abrasion and unexpectedly melodic phrasing. His playing favors tension; angular patterns, syncopated chugs, and textural layering. Drummer Carriere is the kinetic engine: explosive but controlled, moving fluidly through polyrhythms, off-kilter accents, and sudden dynamics that feel physical and instinctive, giving BEAR’s complexity a human pulse. Verhaert‘s bass acts as both glue and weapon, locking tightly with the drums while adding weight and depth to the harmonic dissonance. Over this mayhem are Maarten’s vocals, feral and commanding, shifting from throat-ripping roars to urgent, rhythm-driven phrasing that cuts through the density with clarity.

“We indeed approached this project quite differently, both creatively and in the studio. Looking back, I’m proud of what we’ve achieved. ‘Anhedonia‘ is BEAR at our most authentic and vulnerable. If you ever find yourself in the dark, keep pushing. Accept help from those around you, and keep moving forward. This album is proof that even in the toughest times, there’s a way through.“ (Dries Verhaert)

The EP was recorded live as a full band, with no click track, no studio safety nets, no artificial alignment. What you hear are four musicians locked in, feeding off each other’s raw and volatile energy in real time.

“We recorded the entire thing as a full live band with absolutely no click track or guides whatsoever. We’ve always prided ourselves on being a band that never relies on any audio trickery outside of having a good sound engineer. We’ve always been a very DIY, plug-in and play kind of band, and we really wanted to highlight that with this release. What you hear on the EP is really the four of us just completely dialled in with each other. There’s a certain energy and organic vibe on this EP that maybe wasn’t as present in any of our previous releases.“ (James Falck)

BEAR’s live shows have always been defined by intensity and authenticity. No backing tracks, no illusions, just sweat and volume. Anhedonia captures that same electricity. You can hear the push and pull between instruments, the subtle accelerations, the human tension that makes heavy music feel alive.

“You can hear us pushing one another, feeding off that collective fire. The music feels alive in a way it never has before. This EP is definitely an accurate representation of where we are now— both artistically and personally. After years of hardship, we’ve emerged hungrier than ever. The togetherness you hear in these songs is something I’m incredibly proud of.“ (Dries Verhaert)

The legacy of BEAR’s previous releases remains intact, yet this EP signals a new chapter defined by clarity and renewed purpose. Subtle experimentation also threads through the chaos, expanding their sonic palette without diluting their core ferocity. Even in the darkest moments, there are flashes of creativity that reveal hope and curiosity.

“The face with a forced grin in the artwork is actually a real polyurethane resin cast made by a friend of Dries (Pieter-Jan Maesen). During the recording of the EP – we experimented with a few instruments we’ve never ever used before in any BEAR song, including a grand piano (Anhedonia) and a Banjo (Metastatic)! We also have a tradition of sneaking a Star Wars related soundbite into every release, we’re curious if fans will be able to find it on this release.“ (James Falck)

Anhedonia acknowledges numbness without glorifying it. It confronts pain without being consumed by it. And in doing so, it transforms heaviness into something connective. BEAR have always been a band driven by conviction, and here they stand at their most authentic, vulnerable and ferocious. Together, BEAR create music that feels alive — tense, volatile, and emotionally charged — where technicality enhances impact, and heaviness carries genuine vulnerability beneath its surface.

“We‘re hungrier and more motivated than we’ve ever been, and I really believe these songs reflect that. I think the energy in these tracks is palpable.“ (James Falck)

“Anhedonia isn’t just about the pain. It’s a testament to resilience. There were moments we had to crawl, but we never stopped. We leaned on each other, rediscovered ourselves, and reinvented how we create music. This album is the result—forged in times of hardship, but with the hope that it brings joy to others.“ (Dries Verhaert)

FOR FANS OF

The Dillinger Escape Plan * Every Time I Die * Botch * Converge * Norma Jean * Coalesce * Herod