Sonic Skies, ‘Constants and Variables’ – New EP and Single Video
Sonic Skies – Hameln, Germany.
Refreshing Metalcore their way.
Metalcore gets a lot of negative press. Despite this, there are some bands that break the mould by cascading down through the negativity via that subtle, yet crucial, difference
Personally, I’m not a huge fan of Metalcore. I find it can often try “too hard” and ends up flailing around with break-neck tempos and barely audible guitar work, with the same old deep screaming that sounds as forced as I would be if I sat on a cactus soaked in beetroot juice (ugh!).
Based in Hameln in Germany, Sonic Skies seem to crack though this Metalcore lark well enough. They aren’t your run-of-the-mill band of the genre, and here’s why:
Their latest release, Constants and Variables, boasts six tracks of Melodic Metalcore and Metallic Hardcore that begin their journey with ‘Hope Dies’. Slow, rumbling rhythms ease the band in with some tasty guitar melodies around the 0:44 mark. Vocally, it’s roughly what you’d expect from a Metalcore band, but at the same time has enough pitch so it isn’t too much of the same old.
Standard, yet satisfactory riffage plays you out, before the dulcet intro of ‘This Place Is Dead’. This is a track which carries a fast, harmonious and beaten down second-intro that leans more towards a Hardcore bass. More tasty guitar melodies fill a small gap, before a rumbling Metal structure holds the verses.
‘The Storm’ showcases a similar repertoire in an emotional and melodious assault. It’s worth mentioning that these ‘melodic’ notes of the band’s sound, not only appeal to a wider genre bass, but genuinely suits them as it contrasts nicely with their heavier elements well.
‘Our Way Back Home’ has a crushing vocal and breakdown stomp for the first few notes. Personally, I found it a bit much, but that really doesn’t matter. This track fucking takes off shortly after. Anthemic, heavy, crushing – you name it.
Sonic Skies’ guitar work and melodies really are spot on, and something you’d expect from a more contemporary Melodic and Post-Hardcore band. Metallic drumming holds the whole lot together and the vocals that weren’t quite right in the first few moments, are now laced with this canorous approach, which allow them to be showcased and sound huge.
The best part of the whole track? A guitar solo that I did not see coming. From 2:16 onwards, it plays alongside a fist pumping gang chant through until the end of the song. It really is a pleasant highlight of the release.
The title track and single release. I adored it, but I’ll leave the dissection to you:
The final track, after all this aggression, calms things down. Well, as much as is possible with music in their vein. A pleasing curtain call as it delivers something a little different. More on a Post-Hardcore side the general Metal aggression, it rises up briefly in a more melodic form once more before fading away under quiet guitar notes. Done.
Want something a little different and more stand-out in your Metalcore? Check out Sonic Skies on Facebook – HERE – for all their updates and information on how to get their music into your ears.
#StayFresh
