Review: “Resonance” by Countless Skies

The story goes that having recorded single “Glow” with a guest appearance from cellist Arianna Mahsayeh, Melodic Death Metal band Countless Skies returned to her as a guest for a string of live shows and festival appearances. Having written a collection of parts specifically for the instrument to add extra melodies and layers for a number of songs from both of their albums 2016’s “New Dawn” and 2020’s “Glow“, ahead of their performance at MetalDays festival at Lake Velenj in Slovenia in 2022, together they decided to commit their set to tape. Those sessions took place at Gusto Studios in Luton with Greg Niedzwiecki (Whilst We Explode, Erronaut, Dios Padres) behind the boards before their re-imaginings were mixed and mastered by Juho Räihä (Wolfheart, Bloodred Hourglass, Before The Dawn) at SoundSpiral Audio…

…something of a unique re-imagining offering 42 minutes of music some 3 years after their last album, there was never any danger of “Resonance” being a stop-gap release because the endeavour that has gone into the recording is as clear as day. Unlike some live in the studio albums which feel flat without the band having an audience and atmosphere to feed off, this performance is majestic and feels like you’re sitting in an grand auditorium listening to the band perform. Nuances that you don’t catch live in the heat of the moment due to sound levels being off of people screaming the lyrics are prominent and stand out boldly here, which makes a huge difference. The record stands with “Daybreak“, a cut that blends light and shade with soaring clean vocals from guitarist Ross King backed by some vicious uncleans from both bassist Phil Romeo and guitarist James Pratt. A mournful melancholic quality that the original has runs deeper here with a greater depth of feeling and new energy captured from the live performance enhanced by the cello and piano parts which add a beautiful dull ache of emotion. After that stunning opening a stunning rendition of “Summit” carries the darkness away on swirling winds of plague, Nathan Robshaw’s performance behind the kit driving the band forward with moments of Black Metal basting and intricate fills adding to the thunderously pummelling overall sound. All the while it’s obvious that this is a live performance from the flow of the music and a couple of fleeting moments of volatility where a fraction of a seconds timing is out. That’s something you’re only going to notice if you really listen for it and probably not on the first few spins because the music is simply… so captivating. A melodic break in the centre of this one another majestic sight for sore eyes, the band giving the finest account of themselves possible here.

Surpassing twenty minutes, “Glow” is the jewel in the crown of “Resonance“, a cut which is taken to epic new heights with the additional instrumental parts, acoustic guitars and cello coming together magnificently during the opening passages. A song befitting of the Royal Albert Hall, the theatrical nature of the beast is there for all to witness, flowing like something you might expect from a the Sydney Philharmonic Orchestra, conjuring in breath taking fashion with a gracious rise and fall. The solo and piano accompaniment is glorious as it builds from an ember into an inferno alongside the cello, Robshaw then lifting it further from behind the kit before the uncleans return for a crushing vocal moment. Again the mournful and melancholic tone which the cello brings adds something unique to “Wanderer“, building alongside the icy keys to give the cut a real strength in depth. The unclean vocals are vicious and cutting, perfectly placed to balance off against the melodic nature of the other instruments while the lead guitar parts are stunning throughout. A meandering instrumental lull is like the swell of the ocean in the eye of a storm, allowing the song to finish with an epic crescendo. Last but by no means least “Tempest” brings the curtain down in the finest possible way with playful instrumentation and plenty of punch, the majestic lead guitar work soaring like an eagle giving the song a real vibrancy. There are few live albums that are capable of doing what “Resonance” does and Countless Skies deserve a standing ovation for having the vision to put this together [9/10]

Track Listing

1. Daybreak
2. Summit
3. Glow
4. Wanderer
5. Tempest

“Resonance – Live from the Studio” by Countless Skies is out 5th May 2023 with pre-orders available over at bandcamp