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October 8, 2008 |
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BLACK SKY - Of Sins And Shadows
Unsigned/Indie (2005) |
9/10 |
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01. Five Nights Waiting
02. Redemption
03. The Road Unwinds
04. Illumination And Sorrow
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As most of our longtime readers know, METALEATER.COM have - up until now - focused almost exclusively upon acts signed to established labels. There has been essentially no coverage whatsoever for the legions of unsigned acts currently fighting it out in the proverbial trenches as they hone their craft and strive to reach for that ever-elusive 'Metal God' gold ring that awaits somewhere over the far horizon. Why? I honestly don't know. Perhaps due to the simple fact that there are quite literally hundreds of thousands of such acts. Frankly, it becomes a daunting task to try to offer fair coverage for so many. Again...who knows? But I digress. All of this could very well begin to change. Every once in awhile an unsigned act comes along who demonstrate a talent and drive that more than belies their 'indie', 'unsigned' status and forces the unwary listener to stand up and take note. Such a band is Calgary, Alberta's BLACK SKY.
Featuring Joe Sikorski (formerly of prairie Death Metal stalwarts THORAZINE) on guitars/programming, Kristen Martel on vocals, Greg Musgrave on guitars/vocals, Lance Davis on bass, Walt Fleming on keyboards, and Casey Rogers on drums, BLACK SKY are a VERY welcomed oasis of melody and technical/prog innovation in the desert of Grind/Black Metal currently eating up much of the Western Canadian Heavy Metal scene.
'Of Sins and Shadows' marks the band's debut Demo EP offering, showcasing four tracks of quite honestly, some of the most surprisingly infectious and enjoyable Metal songwriting I've experienced from a band at this level in perhaps years. Recorded and produced at CMSS Studios in Calgary, the music on offer on 'Of Sins And Shadows' is of a decidedly 'Euro' flavour and tone. If I didn't know any better and was listening to this for the first time sight unseen/unheard, I'd swear these guys were from some small town in Germany or Sweden. Not the steaks-n'-ten-gallon-hats-capital of Canada! Best described as a Technical/Melodic Power Metal act with liberal shades and sprinkles of Death Metal influence, BLACK SKY are more than comparable to say, THEATRE OF TRAGEDY or TRISTANIA (moreso via the tone of Martel's female vocal stylings than anything else) crossed with elements of what DREAM THEATER or SYMPHONY X would sound like if Dan Swanö stepped into the studio to lay down some Death Metal vocals for them!
Quite a sonic mix to say the least!. Despite such simple comparisons however, this is a band who defy easy stereotyping. BLACK SKY truly possess a sound that is all their own. Opener 'Five Nights Waiting' is a driving, multi-layered wall-of-sound that rolls thunderously across the senses. Personal fave 'Redemption' is built about an undulating coil of shimmering melodic leadwork that bursts into a hook-laden epic of mammoth proportions marked by the dramatic trade-offs between the ethereal Martel and the deep, guttural roars of Musgrave, whose presence anchors this beast with the necessary heft and heaviness. This is also as good a place as any to note the clarity of the guitarwork of Sikorski/Musgrave, who work well together in constructing memorable songs rife with hook and crunch. Plus, it's nice to see bands caring about solos again! 'The Road Unwinds' is a riffy journey of ebbs and flows with some nice interplay between the leads and keysman Fleming's magical shades and textures.
Closer 'Illumination And Sorrow' is a titanic riff-monster of a track that rumbles along mammoth-like overtop of a thundering, epic wall of guitars while Martel's beautiful voice soars above in true hair-blowing-in-the-wind fashion. This is a class act all around. I'm just sorry there are thus far only 4 tracks currently available!
Great, great stuff, this. I am officially impressed. Why is this criminally-talented young act not signed!?! Where are you Galy Records? Where are you Century Media and Nuclear Blast? Metal Blade? Seriously, you industry folks out there in cyber-land - do yourselves a favour and, if for no other reason than to experience some truly classy Metal...give BLACK SKY's 'Of Sins And Shadows' Demo EP a listen. Great riffs. Soaring leads. Dual clean female/'Deathly' male vocals. Memorable songcraft. This has it all. I guarantee you will be blown away. I cannot wait to hear what the inevitable full-length sounds like! Hails & Horns!
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