Review Summary: Great album for fans of stellar guitars, and a melding of old and new influences in Prog Rock and Metal
Great debut effort by Philadelphia crossover-prog metal outfit The Zeke Sky Band!
There were a lot of great moments in this album, and for lovers of instrumentals, 70s prog rock, and modern prog metal, there is a lot to love here.
It starts with "Haggardous Scabardous", which has a relatively relaxing intro, but soon shifts into a battle cry riff, with aggressive and well articulated guitar work by frontman Zeke Sky. It serves as a little taste of what the album has in store.
The second song, "Curse of Summertimes Past" may be the absolute highlight of the album. With poetic lyrics that cross between love song and historical allegory. The musical style of the song shifts between soft ballad, heavy rock anthem, and catchy guitar riffing, all flowing easily from section to section. The guitar work in this song is absolutely top notch.
"Battle of the Eclipse" comes up next and is a great one to show any extreme metal fans. It is the only song on the album with harsh vocals, and Zeke's growls are reminiscent of Mikael Akerfelt of Opeth. This song is definitely about an epic conflict in ancient times, and evokes the intensity of battle with heavy riffs and the switch to double-time.
"Summon the Firewitch" is another strong instrumental, sure to wow anyone with an appreciation for guitar or an adept rhythm section.
"For the Love of Thunder" is a total 70s throwback, but thats not to say it isn't fresh and original sounding, it just evokes the mood of so many great Led Zeppelin stomps and pink floyd space voyages. Would work in a movie, you could play it at a family barbecue, or rock out to it at a live show.
"Reprise the Firewitch" brings back the melodic themes of "Firewitch" in the new context of a soft acoustic guitar solo song, which harkens back to many of Steve Howe's wonderful interludes on 70s Yes albums.
"Reprise" flows very well into the two part suite, "Animals" and"Of God and War". "Animals" is a great build up track. The jazzy guitar and melodic piano have a nice little conversation, and if it was a little more bleak, it would fit nicely on one of Opeth's more recent albums (like Damnation).
"Of God and War" returns us to some of the more heavy aspects of the album, at first. Thrashy riffs coalesce into a crescendo that leads into a piano ballad with one of the prettiest melodies on the whole album, very much evoking classical music, only returning to a very well executed hard rock riff and another face-melting solo.
"In the Land of Wind and Snow" closes the album, and in a way it stands on its own. It shows a whole new side, maybe what is still to come from the young band. I couldn't help but think of another favorite band of mine, Coheed and Cambria. The lead and harmony vocals, the guitar trills, the melody, and lyrics show a significant influence, while not being derivative.
Overall excellent album not a bad track on it.
Highlights: "Curse of Summertimes Past", "For the Love of Thunder", "In the Land of Wind and Snow".
