Brit stout rock crew And the Sky Darkened reveal their stunning new sophomore EP, Between Ghosts, on Friday 8th May. The rising quartet have already picked up comparisons to Metallica, Killswitch Engage, and Tool. With all of this in mind, we asked the band for an exclusive breakdown of the tracks that make up the record:
1. Burden Hardest To Bear
The EP kicks off with a bang as classic harmony guitars and furious drumming drive the track forward. Gang vocals, the catchiest of choruses and galloping riffs fuse with frenetic death metal as the tracks builds towards its climax with bouncing off-kilter riffs being the order of the day. Possibly the heaviest track ever in a major key….
2. Turn These Eyes Blind
Lyrically the most personal track on the EP, Turn These Eyes Blind see the band hit their groove in mid-tempo territory with huge chord progressions and slick work from the bands rhythm section. A particular highlight is the extended middle section which sees the band fuse spoken word with their more progressive leanings before building to the most epic of interludes.
3. The Darkened Await
Opening with an almost Iron Maiden-like hook over a reggae-inspired riff, The Darkened Await twists and turns into an old-school thrash fest complete with relentless double-kick drum and duelling guitars. The interlude sees the band only increase in intensity; throwing the listener a barrage of furious fretwork before peaking with anthemic lead guitars.
4. Between Ghosts
The title track is the first real foray into the unplugged arena and big departure from the bands more aggressive style. Delicate acoustic guitars and ambient textures build throughout with haunting piano adding to melancholy. The track demonstrates the band taking a huge step both vocally and instrumentally and it is this willingness to take risks could prove to play key part in the band rising above their contemporaries.
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