PHANTOMS FILL THE SKIES

'Phantoms fill the skies' contains a fine collection of modern art rock songs - improved compared to the 2005 forerunner album. Some sources are evaluating their music as post/math rock. Bordering - okay - but it doesn't really hit the nail right on the head. At least for this album. Attention - you shouldn't be distracted by the cover art showing a woman more dead than alive with deformed legs and arms. Unfortunately this is no benefit as for my taste even if the album is pointed out for manifesting a dark depressive mood in the whole.

Anyhow - concentrating on the musical content - in opposite to the visual aspect the band is rocking with joy of playing as a precondition I'm quite sure - dynamics and crescendos, good vocals and twin guitar work which is crashing here and psychedelic there. And that's why EVERY OTHER FATE's music is absolutely unique (and I like it).

Meant as building up an epic perhaps the album name is split in two song titles. Nice idea whereas I don't know if this is really something new. The tracks are indicating some slight Tool leanings and are also provided with spacey guitars - always alternating between very dynamic and more unexcited slow parts. Abu Ghraib (Hotel America) belongs to my favourites initiated by a sample and also attacking in waves - the trademark of the songs. An example for pulling of a feat to combine a complex song structure with a catchy memorable melody.

The same with the long track Sleep, in red which is consisting of all the potency the band has to offer. First of all the varied guitar work is really striking - fantastic! I love songs which have a spacey touch in parts or even contain some psych moments. And that's it here - a psychedelic middle part, raising in waves until the band is back on the top with full dynamics carried by the good working rhythm fraction. Rebirth should be mentioned if someone is missing a ballad up to now whereas In the Crash, We Die is made for headbanging and the refrain for singing along.

(Nearly) everything matches - eminent teamwork - entertaining songs, skillfully played with much enthusiasm. The songs can be downloaded via several distributors and even PayPlay.FM provides a printable cover. A great find for those who are searching for new inspiring music hailing from the heavy art and post rock area.