Skyfire
Spectral


4.0
excellent

Review

by Observer EMERITUS
August 30th, 2009 | 19 replies


Release Date: 2004 | Tracklist

Review Summary: Essentially, this is a melting pot of power, melodic death, neo-classical and symphonic metal styles.

Skyfire is a metal band from the country of Sweden in the town of Hoor. The current five piece released their first two albums on the record label Hammerheart before subsequently moving to Arise to release Spectral, their third studio effort. The band offers quite a unique sound, mixing genres of power metal, melodic death, symphonic metal, and even some elements of neo-classical metal for a rather dense product that utilizes the skills of the band’s keyboardist more so than the typical symphonic metal band would. It is for this reason that the band are tipically seen as a Children of Bodom and Dark Tranquility--mixed with parts Mors Principium Est--hybrid of sorts.

Interestingly enough, Spectral opens up with the album’s longest song, “Conjuring the Thoughts.” If the listener is familiar with the band’s past releases, he may notice a slight drop in the tempo of the music. Mind Revolution--the band’s second album--was typically a lot faster in comparison, though this tempo change isn’t necessarily a bad thing for Spectral. If anything, the drop in speed allows for the listener to remember certain sections of the songs with more ease. Also, singer Henrik Wenngren’s shrieking is a lot easier to decipher and understand given the fact he doesn’t seem rushed to keep up with the instruments as much as he was in past albums.

Highlights of Spectral include the aforementioned opener, the haunting “Shivering Shade”, the stair-climbing keyboard sections of “Awake”, and finally, the memorable chorus of “Shadow Creator”. In fact, the chorus of “Shadow Creator” brings to mind a valid point concerning this band’s music: while Skyfire are technically in the melodic death metal genre, they almost never rely on vocal hooks or melodies to make their songs catchy. Most of the melodies here are instead featured within the sound of the instruments themselves--particularly on the keyboards as I have stated before. Album closer “Tranquility’s Maze” closes the album much like the songs that came before it, featuring many memorable keyboard sections and tempo changes throughout.

The dense style of the music--blending equally prominent keyboards and guitars, bass, drums, and shrieks--often causes the album to “blend” together if the listener doesn’t much pay attention. As a result, this characteristic gives the album the tag of a “grower”, encouraging repeated listens to fully sink into the listener. The only negative I have against the album--or the band for that matter--is Henrik Wenngren’s vocal style. After a while his often-times undecipherable shrieking becomes quite a chore to listen to, which in turn brings down the other elements of the band’s sound. Given this complaint, I was quite relieved to hear that the band would be featuring new vocal sections by a different vocalist on their upcoming album, Esoteric.

In summary, Skyfire’s Spectral offers the band’s distinct melting-pot sound at a slightly slower pace but with an added improved and clearer production. Fans of any of their past albums are certainly encouraged to buy the record as much of what made the previous two releases great returns here once again. Those unfamiliar with the band and may be looking for a new metal band to listen to should also give this album a spin; the band’s blend of genres almost guarantees something to be enjoyed by the every metal head.



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user ratings (113)
3.8
excellent

Comments:Add a Comment 
Observer
Emeritus
August 30th 2009


9455 Comments


Kinda surprised this didn't have a review so I decided to write one up.

Cesar
August 30th 2009


2732 Comments


This sounds intriguing.

OllieS
August 30th 2009


2280 Comments


In fact, the chorus of “Shadow Creator” brings up a valid point concerning this band’s music; while Skyfire are technically in the melodic death metal genre, they almost never rely on vocal hooks or melodies to make their songs catchy or memorable.

I think you should get rid of 'or memorable' in the last line; 95% of songs use melody to be memorable. Good review otherwise.

Observer
Emeritus
August 30th 2009


9455 Comments


Alright, good point.

BallsToTheWall
August 30th 2009


51607 Comments


Good review although I dont think neo-classical metal is a sub-genre. Then again there's whalecore......

Observer
Emeritus
August 30th 2009


9455 Comments


Thanks. I'm pretty sure it is though, I googled it and there were many sites defining the genre and whatnot.

BallsToTheWall
August 30th 2009


51607 Comments


Sounds like a pretentious and unnecessary label.

Observer
Emeritus
August 30th 2009


9455 Comments


Yeah, I definitely agree with you there. According to wiki, Yngwie Malmsteen was one of the founders or something. Apparently its been around for a while.

The term "Neo-classical" sounds somewhat oxymoronic . . .

Yazz_Flute
August 30th 2009


19174 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

Conjuring the Thoughts is excellent but as a whole I much prefer Mind Revolution to this.

Observer
Emeritus
August 30th 2009


9455 Comments


As do I, but the production of the album seems better on this for some reason.

I ordered Mind Revolution through Amazon, and my copy is very "quiet"though I'm not sure why.

rasputin
August 31st 2009


14968 Comments


more like a melting pot of suck

pizzamachine
September 8th 2009


27694 Comments


More like a pot of gold.

Oceandrowned
June 14th 2020


1067 Comments


What a great album. Uplifting atmosphere and clever riffing makes its kinda progressive in not a wanky way.

wildinferno2010
June 14th 2020


1927 Comments


Holy shit, I forgot this band existed. Used to listen to Mind Revolution and Timeless Departure so much in high school. Wonder if they hold up?

Source
June 14th 2020


19917 Comments


mind revolution is nice

DaveyMonsoon
June 4th 2023


1251 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

This is very good symphonic melodeath, certainly in the style of Bodom but is also different enough to have their own identity.

Hawks
August 10th 2023


93930 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Mind Revolution was really good but this one is on another level. This shit slayz. m///

Butkuiss
August 11th 2023


7781 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

Bodom for pseuds

Hawks
August 11th 2023


93930 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Nah bro this rips.



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