Χρονολογία: 2020
Συνολική Διάρκεια: 44:18
Εταιρεία: Willowtip Records
COUNTLESS SKIES come from Hertfordshire, one of the non-metropolitan counties of the South of England, located between the cities of Oxford and Cambridge to the north of London, boasting the Watford F.C football team, which was relegated to the Championship this. Focusing again on COUNTLESS SKIES, they were founded in 2009 as HATESPIRE and then changed their name influenced by the song of the Australian band BE’LAKOR. This love for BE’LAKOR is reflected not only on their name but also on their playing style. I do not know if it is a coincidence (it probably is, I’m tired of conspiracy theories lately) the fact that COUNTLESS SKIES’ debut album “New Dawn” was released on the same day as “Vessels” which is BE’LAKOR’s latest album to date and that they also walk on the same melodic Death Metal path enriching it with many Progressive elements and a certain “post” atmosphere.
At this point I will confess another sin: I’ve never heard of them before “Glow”. When my editor-in-chief introduced me to the band saying “POPOPOPOP (Oh, I said to myself, he sings “Kagelia”) VERY FRESH, IT KILLS!!! POPOPOP !!! I did not take him very seriously!
A wonderful introduction to the band was awaiting me with the album’s first track “Tempest” opening with a fantastic first riff taken directly from the heart of the British Progressive as it was defined by bands like ARENA and IQ. “Glow” combines Progressive and Scandinavian Death Metal a musical field where other bands such as BE’LAKOR, INSOMNIUM, AMORPHIS, OPETH, just to name a few, also shine. During some parts of the album ALCEST and DARK TRANQUILITY come to mind. Paradoxically, one can also find elements of AEOLIAN and BORKNAGAR especially in its most pompous moments. In spite of the accumulated references to other bands, COUNTLES SKIES manage not to sound like copycats; instead, they’re very authentic and original to their style even if it’s only their second album we’re talking about here.
“Summit” is a summary of what will be heard in the entire album and it was wisely chosen as a single with all of its variety: the clear vocals, the classic growls, the middle interlude, the blast-beats and the epic moments. Later on “Zephyr” starts as a purely progressive song to evolve into a melodic and lyrical Death Metal masterpiece.
For the trilogy “Glow” that closes the album, I could fill pages with elegies and dithyrambs (and other playful expressions describing my excitement) but because I am not a master of the written word and because an arrogance of the moment may something to regret in the future, I will describe the incomparable ecstasy I feel while listening to it and writing these lines with the following: If the band had only released the “Glow” trilogy and nothing more it would be enough to give them a high place at the top!
The album flows like a stream from its source, winding through the forests and slopes to end up in a river, gargling, clear and fast. Handling the progressive element as something real with substance and not as a sterile mean of projection of an artist’s ego or just a demonstration of technique, having the melodies of the Death Metal genre as a basis and enriching it with a dose of lyricism, savagery and musical maturity, COUNTLESS SKIES released one of 2020’s best albums (definitely in my list of the year’s best releases).
Listen to it, feel it, let it touch you, let it travel you. Difficult times require quality music….
Rating: 8.5/10
Editor: Dimos Karadimos
Related Link: COUNTLESS SKIES – Official Page
