ALBUM REVIEW: Sunshine Dust – Skyharbor
Back in 2012, SKYHARBOR grabbed the spotlight with their debut album Blinding White Noise, their momentum and fan base were accumulating an at impressive rate. Thanks to a successful crowdfunding campaign they built on this rise of popularity with their sophomore release Guiding Lights. Shortly after the lineup unfortunately became unglued with Anup Sastry and Dan Tompkins leaving the fold in 2015. These circumstances would’ve signalled the end for most bands but since then SKYHARBOR have solidified a new lineup, toured all over the globe and re-recorded an entire album to bring us their hotly anticipated 3rd full length release entitled Sunshine Dust out now via eONE Music.
The brief floating ambience of Signal announces the arrival of Sunshine Dust before bursting into life with energetic, melodic tones in the form of Dim. The lively, groove soaked guitar work is very reminiscent of TESSERACT as Eric Emery‘s powerful vocal range flexes its muscles with an addictive chorus. Out Of Time gets a bit more experimental with quirky time signatures and thunderous drumming as the track ebbs and flows through segments of prominent bass lines and further soaring vocal flurries getting Sunshine Dust off to a promising start in the early stages.
Synthetic Hands quickens the pace with a punchy beat and a few growls thrown in the mix for good measure. The riffs also begin to rise in technicality with some elaborate lead work throughout the track as SKYHARBOR really begin to hit their stride. Blind Side kind of derails the momentum which was building as it opens with the calming sound of water droplets and a more restrained prose. However, the melodic subtleties in this arrangement are particularly effective. Disengage/Evacuate opens with electronic experimentation as the atmosphere quietly builds. This track possesses some intriguingly dark qualities as heavier downtuned riffs unassumingly seep in, bringing an edgier vibe to the proceedings. As the climax approaches the tension escalates with gritty bass lines and vibrant drum work which despite being followed by intense yet fleeting growls and intricate lead work the energy just seems to abruptly evaporate rather than reaching any kind of emphatic conclusion.
Ethos chops and changes between subdued but purposeful verses and volleying chorus lines as energy flows throughout the track before Ugly Heart invites a heightened sense of emotion and accompanying synths. The vulnerable nature of the arrangement alongside some virtuoso guitar work creates one of Sunshine Dust‘s most unique moments. This sentimentality cascades into the opening scenes of The Reckoning as a pulsing beat fills the scene with anticipation. Rigid bass lines and jabbing guitar work are introduced to create an engaging vibe but it feels a little like an unnecessarily elongated segue into the following track.
Dissent ups the ante with some much welcomed growls and groovy guitar work which shows SKYHARBOR can get aggressive when the situation permits. This track feels like the shackles have finally been broken and the intensity threatening it’s arrival makes it’s way into the spotlight even if it’s in the form of a passing glance. Menace also harnesses the raw vigour of it’s predecessor as some assertive screams and potent riffing start to get the blood pumping. This ominous atmosphere flows into the short yet potent hammer blows of Temptress. The decision for this excerpt to be a separate entity from its counterpart is a rather confusing one. The title track Sunshine Dust reprises a similar vibe to the earlier stages of the album with it’s floating nature. Drenched in commanding vocal passages the track’s vibrancy brings proceedings to an uplifting, engrossing close.
It’s been a bumpy ride for SKYHARBOR over the last few years and it has been a joy to see them triumph through adversity. Whilst Sunshine Dust displays some shining moments it feels incredibly safe. The melodies are infectious and accessible which is sure to acquire them a whole host of new fans but with so many up and coming bands breaking the boundaries of progressive metal and vying for their opportunity to grab the spotlight, this release may not do enough to elevate them above the pack. SKYHARBOR‘s collective talents are clearly evident and the recruitment of Eric Emery has most certainly softened the blow of Dan Tompkins’ departure but they need to step out of their comfort zone if they are to rise to prominence in one of metal’s most hotly contested genres.
Rating: 7/10
Sunshine Dust is out now via eONE Music.
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