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.

On their MySpace site they describe their music as "Post / Math Rock with a splash of melodic honesty with maybe a hint of pretense add to taste". Their influences are DON CABALLERO,THE MARS VOLTA, RADIOHEAD, EXPLOSIONS IN THE SKY, MOGWAI, TOOL and many others, but I was pleased to see them list RUSH, PINK FLOYD and KING CRIMSON as well. The music is often intense, intricate, explosive, melodic and emotional. I like it !

"Ten Car Pileup" opens with the heaviest section on the album and then it settles with vocals a minute in. This contrast continue. Love the intricate guitar on the mellower passages.The vocalist reminds me a little of the singer for SAGA. Great way to start the record. "Abu Ehraib (Hotel America)" opens with a sample of someone speaking before a killer soundscape comes ripping in. It settles quickly as vocals come follow. Check out the drumming before 2 minutes. Intense ! Contrasts continue. "Tsunami" is even better than the first two songs ! "Wave going out wave coming in and I am breathing out if only I could breath in." This is the opening line that is repeated. Great lyrics in this one. Post Rock styled guitar comes and goes. Nice bass 2 minutes in as the song builds in intensity.The vocals become more passionte as well. Several f-bombs are dropped but it fits with the absolute emotion that is being delivered. It then calms down as waves can be heard rolling in to end it. Nice.

"Phantoms..." opens with drums and intricate guitar as the bass throbs. Vocals before 1 1/2 minutes. Love the guitar as it becomes Fripp- like. The tempo picks up before 3 minutes. It settles back 4 minutes in. The guitar and drums sound incredible. Vocals are back and it's heavier after 5 minutes. "...Fill the Skies" features more intricate guitar melodies and vocals. It turns heavy as contrasts continue. "Rebirth" has this relaxed intro as vocals join in. The chorus comes in after a minute. The most commercial song on here. "Galapagos" is a straight forward tune and probably my least favourite. "Libertine" has some complex guitar and drum work especially before 2 minutes.

"Tethers" is a return to form and one of my favs. A mid-paced tune that just seems to hit the spot if you know what I mean. Love the chorus too. Violin in this one as well. "In The Crash, We Die" opens with some cool percussion until the vocals take over. The tempo slows down in an interesting section. We get some intensity that comes and goes. "Eyes On Wings" is another fav of mine. Post Rock guitar before 2 minutes and the vocals get more passionate 3 minutes in. "Sleep, In Red" is the longest track at 9 minutes. Some atmosphere and darkness to start. Percussion followed by outbreaks of sound before it settles with vocals. Nice drumming 3 minutes in. A calm before 6 minutes but then it starts to build until it gets really intense as vocals return to end it.

For me this is worth 4 stars but I know these guys can do even better. A lot of potential and talent here.