Album Rating: 3.0

"Am I the only person who doesn't hate Dissent?"

I actually kind of like it too tbh.



"as someone who used to be extremely hyped about this band, is it safe?"

Probably not. It's still Skyharbor and the album is still pretty decent, but if you're expecting it to be as good as Guiding Lights you're going to be disappointed.

Album Rating: 3.0 | Sound Off

I think the main problem I have with Dissent is the lyrics, specifically the verses; the chorus I like.

It sounds a little too nu-metal for my taste but it's not a completely bad song. I appreciate the band trying something different and paying homage. I think if it came after 'Out Of Time' in the track listing might make more sense.

Thought this album sucked

Album Rating: 3.5

"The mix on Emerys vocals during the bridge were way off in the original version though"



True but i preferred the overall style of the original version

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

Yeah this was super disappointing. Not memorable at all, weak melodies. Maybe the biggest disappointment in music for me forever. Guess my hopes were too high after hearing the early singles years ago and thinking they were going to be the "single"-sounding more straightforward songs on the album.

Album Rating: 3.5

Reviewer's right: Worth the wait, but also disappointing. Not sure how but it is.

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

I was sent something nifty from a dude on Reddit the other day who got it from another dude on Reddit the day prior, when we appeared to share the same sentiments on the failings of the album. A re-cut won't change the mix or effective genre they've chosen for this record, but it's neat. Here's what he said:



"I cross-faded Signal into Dim to make one track ("Dim"); used the original 320 kpbs versions of Out of Time, Chemical Hands, and Blind Side; cut Disengage, Ethos, and Ugly Heart (which were all terrible in my opinion); and combined Menace and Temptress together ("Menace"). Dissent, The Reckoning, and Sunshine Dust are left as is."



I listened to the album again this way, and I gotta say, despite some imperfect crossfades for these 1-2 major edits, it was actually a better album. It felt more focused. Concise; not bloated like the release version. Cool stuff. If anybody knows the dead-simple basics of editing audio tracks, you could make this for yourself in 15 minutes. I think I prefer this version.

Album Rating: 3.0

Ethos is one of the better songs on here tho...

Album Rating: 3.0 | Sound Off

I think Ethos is a good song; Disengage probably just needs some trimming; Ugly Heart has a nice solo but sounds like a 00s ballad.



Thought The Reckoning would lead into another track or act as a sort of overture to the album but it doesn't really go anywhere.



Not sure why they changed Blind Side's pitch/vocal take, really liked that version.

Album Rating: 3.5

"

"I cross-faded Signal into Dim to make one track ("Dim"); used the original 320 kpbs versions of Out of Time, Chemical Hands, and Blind Side; cut Disengage, Ethos, and Ugly Heart (which were all terrible in my opinion); and combined Menace and Temptress together ("Menace"). Dissent, The Reckoning, and Sunshine Dust are left as is."



I would hate this version lmao

Dissent and menace go a different direction , nu-metalesque kind of like Taproot style... really put me off..

Before that I enjoy it still, although it feels like the melodies are very in your face and up front ,when Guiding Lights felt like a wash the first listen and then you keep pulling back the layers.

Guiding lights is one of my favorite albums in the last decade so my expectations were high

Album Rating: 4.5

Such a boring album, makes just want to listen to Periphery :,(

Album Rating: 2.5

^hopefully they announce new stuff soon.



I agree though. I have tried to get into this band and album a few times, because on paper I SHOULD like it. But nothing stands out and grabs my attention.



[edit] with the exception of "Menace"

Album Rating: 3.0 | Sound Off

What about their other records?

Album Rating: 3.0 | Sound Off

This album takes a lot of listens to really let it sink in, as it does have a unified theme, and shouldn't be compared to BWN or Guiding Lights.

Sunshine dust is top 5 skyharbor songs.

Album Rating: 3.0 | Sound Off

It's a great tune for sure. There were comments floating around the prog metal reddit that the band wanted to do a collab album with the Contortionist, that'd be so dope.

Album Rating: 3.0 | Sound Off

Anyone see the band live recently? Curious how the show went.

Album Rating: 3.0

I saw them last month on their tour with Toothgrinder. Pro-tip: don't stand right up by the stage. They play with a silent stage (no amps or stage monitors) so unless you want to hear a 45 minute drum-solo find a spot that's in the line of sight of the venues speakers.



They're pretty tight live, even though Emery struggles with some of the older Skyharbor songs. I think it's confidence more than his vocal range. When I saw them back in 2016 he sang a lot of the old songs a little off-key, and then when I saw them this year he struggled with the timing of some of the parts. He's good with his own stuff.



They also did a weird thing where they spend a lot of time facing sideways instead of facing the audience. I'm not sure why.



Toothgrinder slayed though. My wife wasn't a metalhead until I introduced her to TesseracT and Skyharbor in 2014 so she has a soft spot for Skyharbor. She preferred Toothgrinder too though. At least live.

Album Rating: 3.0 | Sound Off

Yeah I saw a live video recently where Eric's facing sideways a lot onstage. In interviews he's mentioned having a fear of heights so that could be part of it, or the band is a little timid lately since they've gotten more exposure. They were great opening for The Contortionist earlier this year; missed them opening for Red a couple weeks ago, unfortunately.



Hope this album did well enough to support them for #4.