RIFF REWIND (18/08/2013): Secrets Of The Sky - "To Sail Black Waters"

Three of the band’s six members each contributing with multiple instruments, SECRETS OF THE SKY projects a unique brand of cinematic, cerebral, atmospheric metal with a heavy persuasion towards doom metal and even more blackened influences citing The Ocean, Opeth, Isis, Agalloch and others.

The debut album from this new by this sadly missed act, “To Sail Black Waters”, was recorded over an eight month period with engineer/producer Juan Urteaga (Testament, Machine Head, Cattle Decapitation) at Trident Studios, the massive album boasting SECRETS OF THE SKY’s entirely modern and unique back-bending of elements from a multitude of genres. With up to three guitar tracks, two and three keyboards at a time and a multitude of vocal styles — clean and epic lines against hollow and blackened battle cries and crushing, low-end growls — the band creates huge build-ups and epic movements as expansive as the cosmos.

Today we’re rewinding back 4 years, with our original review of a review of SECRETS OF THE SKY’s phenomenal debut “To Sail Black Waters”, So if you overlooked this band/album, be sure to remedy your error by checking out our review and the record is streaming in full below

By: Richard Maw

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 8/10/2013

Label: Kolony Records

If you are looking for a record that is a little different with elements of multiple sub-genres, give this album a try. Truly accomplished stuff and, yes, mesmerisingly bleak.

“To Sail Black Waters” CD//DD track listing :

1. Winter

2. Decline

3. Sunrise

4. Black Water

The Review:

Epic progressive doom with blackened influences and aspects. So what do you get for your money. You get four tracks- the shortest of which is (7.43) long. This Oakland CA six piece know what to do with the time; each track is expansive, multi-faceted and will hold your interest. It's bleak stuff, which does not sound very Californian. Then again, I suspect much of Oakland isn't exactly how you might imagine/want California to be.

“Winter” comes in over the nine minute mark with a suitably icy sound. Screamed and low vocals trade off while the guitars range from melodic and mellow to positively feral. The production is pleasingly clear and bright- but still raw and grimy enough as to be appropriate.

“Decline” is mesmerising in its bleakness (that kind of sums the whole record, to be fair). It continues and indeed expands on the opener. Clean vocals add a Gothic aspect (think Type O, not The Cure) that is unique and welcome. Keyboards add another layer to the sound as the guitars weave together expertly. This is brilliant stuff. The pace is slow but fluid and the generous 12 minute plus length of the track allows you to really get into this most unusual of sounds. The final 3 minutes plus are even heavier than what goes before and features an excellent riff prior to the track breaking down.

“Sunrise” starts with a lumbering doom riff (backed with an interesting keyboard counterpoint) and thereafter dynamics are used effectively with some truly unpleasant vocals too. Again, there is a definite gothic influence here (to my ears, anyway) and I like it. The opening riff gets returned too; this is not just progressive “throw anything in” writing- the tracks work as pieces of music and structured songs.

“Black Waters” at (11.22) closes the album is impressively expansive style. The intro builds things very nicely as the crystal clear drums crash in with a well worked groove that the bass propels along until the vocals come to the fore. Real heaviness follows with those black metal-esque vocals ripping out of the speakers. The track then twists and turns its way along numerous pathways before stripping away towards the end.

If you are looking for a record that is a little different with elements of multiple sub-genres, give this album a try. Truly accomplished stuff and, yes, mesmerisingly bleak.

Band info: facebook

Secrets of the Sky - 'Pathway' (Album Review)

Album Type: Full-Length

Release Date: 19/5/2015

Label: Metal Blade Records

‘Pathway’ CD//DD//LP track listing :

1). I

2). Three Swords

3). II

4). Angel in Vines

5). Another Light

6). II

7). IV

8). Garden of Prayers

9). V

10). Fosforos

11). VI

12). Eternal Wolves

13). VII

Secrets of the Sky is:

Andrew Green | Guitar / etc
Clayton Bartholomew | Guitar / etc
Garett Gazay | Vocals / Keys
Ryan Healy | Bass
Lance Lea | Percussion

Review:

Cool to get something on my “to review” list I both already bought and liked, Secrets of the Sky returns after their 2013 powerhouse “To Sail Black Waters” which I really loved. Much like their previous work, Secrets of the Sky maintains the layered guitar textures and that “post-black” metal atmosphere that bands like Alcest, Deafheaven, and Ghost Brigade have popularized. That being said, Secrets of the Sky fit into the post-black genre like a square peg into a round hole, they have some elements of that sound but incorporate a grander vision with elements of many other genres. In that way, they remind me of Agalloch a lot, but without the folk influence. They also tend to keep the tempos slower and doomier and have a post-metal aesthetic to the progressive bent of their song writing, which they continue throughout their travels on “Pathway.”

Interestingly there seems to be a touch more clean vocals on “Pathway” than on “To Sail Black Waters.” The cleans are pretty seamlessly integrated and the production makes them sound vast and immerse you in the sound. Speaking of the production, everything is crystal clear in the mix and balanced perfectly. That being said, being on a bigger label that shouldn't really come as much of a surprise but Secrets of the Sky's earlier work also had great production values.

“Pathway” boasts a hefty thirteen tracks during its length and moves through a huge range of sounds. There is also quite a bit of ambiance floating between the songs with instrumental passages and soundscapes galore. The songs are relatively lengthy but have a lot of dynamic movement and don't drag at all. My personal favorite is “Garden of Prayers” which has a really well-constructed bridge section with some nice ambient keys.

An intriguing listen to see where Secrets of the Sky is going on their journey, I'd strongly recommend this for fans of the “artier” side of music and people who like the so-called “post” genres. Remember though, bands like this transcend genre labels and if you are in the mood for something different and groundbreaking, this is a great album to expand your sonic palette and get into some different sounds. Secrets of the Sky has crafted here a worthy follow-up to “To Sail Black Waters” and I'd highly recommend it.

Words by: Chris Tedor

‘Pathway’ is available at major retailers or you can get it here

For more information:

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Godhunter/Secrets of the Sky - GH/OST:S Split 12" (Review)

Album Type: Split 12”

Date Released: 09/09/2014

Label: The Compound/Battleground

‘GH/OST:S’ DDLP track listing:

1). Pursuit/Predator

2). GH/OST:S

3). The Star

4). GH/OST:S II

Bio:

On their recent Southwest US trek, Tucson-based sludge metal bandits, GODHUNTER and Oakland’s cinematic doom outfit, SECRETS OF THE SKY, were selling a limited-to-100 copies, tour-only, cassette-edition of a new split release between both acts. On this combined effort, entitled GH/0ST:S, both bands supply brand new material, showcasing even further experimentation into each of their respective crafts, with forty minutes of material, including a crushing new opus from each band, as well as a haunting, thematic accompaniment bearing the ghosts theme.

Through a joint effort between GODHUNTER’s Battleground Records and THE EARSPLIT COMPOUND’s label division, THE COMPOUND, GH/0ST:S will see a digital release on September 9th, and a deluxe LP version on September 30th, 180-gram black/white vinyl swirl edition to be limited to three-hundred copies, each including a digital download coupon.

Released in February 2014, then issued in a deluxe vinyl edition in May, the fifty-minute dust storm of groove-laden, resin-coated sludge metal intensity GODHUNTER’s debut LP City Of Dust delivers is the most concise, diverse, and infectious hymns from the politically-motivated outfit to date. Through a brutally honest outcry the album boasts thought-provoking, thematic tirades against the governmental members and parties responsible for a wide array of vital societal issues. Released through a union of Earsplit’s label, The Compound, and GODHUNTER’s Battleground Records, City Of Dust is available in a deluxe 180-gram clear vinyl with rose splatter, poly-bagged with a black poly-lined sleeve and full-color 12”x24” lyric/liner sheet, as well as eco-friendly digipak.

Italian label, Kolony Records, released SECRETS OF THE SKY’s debut full-length, To Sail Black Waters, in October 2013, exposing the planet to the band’s expansive style of fusing progressive elements into their crushing doom metal foundation. Threeof the band’s six members each contribute with multiple instruments, layering synth/keys, violins and an array of vocal styles atop the crushing rhythm section and massive triple guitar attack, resulting in a dense and stunning forty-one minute opus ecorded at Trident Studios with engineer/producer Juan Urteaga (Testament, Machine Head, Cattle Decapitation). The album appeared on many best of 2013 lists including Decibel, MetalSucks, Metal Injection, Metal Insider and more.

Review:

I love it when new splits drop, as I get to hear two or more bands put forth something unique for that record. It's always a fun way to get surprised by new bands, see who known bands like, or to just hear something cool from a band you've listened to for years. This recent split, entitled GH/0ST:S, features a pretty good pairing of two doom/drone bands: Godhunter and Secrets of the Sky. The album is split into two songs by the bands individually, Godhunter's ‘Pursuit/Predator’ and SOTS' ‘The Star’, with two 10+ minute epics of the album title.

Breakdown goes something like this:

Godhunter’s, ‘Pursuit/Predator’: this song opens pretty heavily. You have a mix of groaning feedback from either guitar or bass, with an overlaid voice sample of a man plotting a violent crime against an un-named women he has "feelings" for. It's a dark opener, and ‘son’ it doesn't disappoint, Godhunter don't show up to simply kickback and riff around. The band plays a heavy, simple groove style, with lots of overdriven guitar instead of a super fuzz sound. It's got the drive to make you tap your foot, and provides a platform that the band uses to full effect. The drums are simple and effective, as they hold the rhythm that the guitar leaves to them, fitting into the groove like puzzle pieces. It's rounded off by two vocal styles here, the gravelly, scathing vocals of the lead vox, with shouted, cleaner vocals from the band. It's a great call-repeat style, and it's not over used at all. The end of the songs sees it most heavily, as they segue into just vocals and what sounds like a very dark cello, and acoustic guitars doing the riff a bit more simply; with the voice sample closing, this time the voice describes his crime and where he is. To put it simply this is HEAvy and will stick in your mind. A very awesome opening track to the album.

From there, it proceeds to the first title track, GH/0ST:S 1: this is a long song, but not very out of character for doom or fuzz style bands. Its quite tame compared to the opener, and relies more on dark vocals and tone of the guitars to make a very close, gloomy atmosphere come out of the speakers. Like being crushed to death under tons of black velvet. The vocals are predominantly from a female vocalist, who sounds very talented. She easily could have this album to herself, and I would call it a good day; but she has another female voice that helps her at the first half of the song, and then a male vocal that just echoes the heavy darkness being woven throughout. Its a mighty task, but is a very heavy song, again, sticking around more than usual. It very much embodies the title of the album, that of GH/OST:S.

This ambling apparition winds down so the Secrets of the Sky track may take the reins, with their track: ‘The Star’, which finds a different tone from even the first two. Using more effects to their advantage, SOTS weaves a bit brighter of an opening, before a giant meteor of heavy comes crashing down upon us, ‘oh unexpecting mortals’! From absolutely scathing vocals, to a huge fuzzy wall of guitar, clashing with a minimalistic drum backing, SOTS brings a blackness that is a further contrast to tracks 1 & 2, completely dispelling the haze that GH/0ST:S was wafting about. It's a song completely focused on using the blackest riff and sound, to bring waves of heavy to your ears. Utilizing feedback and phase, the vocalist and guitarist(s) trade off on who can get the nastiest, and the vocalist makes a great case as he goes from chant-like delivery to a black metal growl from Satan’s own inner circle. It’s a stellar contribution to an already well balanced split.

All this happens, to set up perfectly to the 4th and last track, GH/0ST:S II, which rounds out the Split. This song is quite the horrific dichotomy, as it begins with a very beautiful and dark toned song, starting at a soft playing style, and fading in a heavy, gained-up guitar with other instruments, with a very stressful synth sound at the 2:30 mark, which continues on to about the 4:00 mark, and then fades out just as slowly. The original melody is played until the last parts of this song, around the 5:10 mark, where it goes back to a dark, deep synth playing (almost-vocal noises). Similar to chant sounds. This continues till the last act of the song, where a narrative voice has probably one of the most horrific stories, of a group of people who commit odd sexual acts, within their "black masses", in great detail, with a sacred statue or a person in place of the statue. It’s very vivid, and really brings all the darkness of this record to a dagger like point, sticking deep within the matter of your mind and soul.

Words by: Hunter Young

You can pick up a copy here

For more information:

http://dirtweedmetal.com
http://godhunter.bandcamp.com
https://www.facebook.com/godhuntertucson666
https://www.facebook.com/battlegroundrecords
http://www.facebook.com/secretsofthesky
https://twitter.com/secretsofthesky
http://www.thecompoundrecs.com
https://www.facebook.com/TheCompoundRecs
http://www.earsplitdistro.com