Grey Skies Fallen: Introspective / Along Came Life

Here are two reissues from Grey Skies Fallen, released together as one physical deluxe CD. This is good news for those who have only been able to find this music on Bandcamp and have hoped for something concrete to put in their collection.

For those unfamiliar with this band, Grey Skies Fallen is a New York-area band that plays mostly in the style of death / doom. I say "mostly" because the band regularly draws on the blend of clean and dirty vocals, a style that is not common in either death or doom metal. Although I wouldn't describe this band as metalcore, the vocal style on this release sometimes pushes too much in that direction.

This band's promotional material suggests that Grey Skies Fallen has an "epic" quality. In this case, I think the term "epic" applies to the band's musical ambitions, its willingness to play outside the conventions of death metal, and its willingness to explore long works. In terms of the last point, one of the tracks on this release clocks in at 21:12, a length that could certainly be described as epic. The track, entitled "Introspective" doesn't feel as long as all that, but it did not appeal to me as much as I'd hoped.

This band stands out when it stays within the style and conventions of death metal. When things get more melodic, especially in the vocals, the music takes on a more emotive quality, one that I found distracting at times. I admire any band for its willingness to escape convention, but this band is tighter and stronger when playing death metal. I also don't mind music that evokes strong emotions; in this case, however, things wavered too much. Given that the music on these EPs is several years old, I would be curious to know what this band's current material sounds like, especially if it has taken a turn for the darker.

Track Listing:
1. Everything and Nothing at All
2. When Promise Lies
3. Introspective
4. The Grand Scheme of Things
5. By the Wayside
6. Forever and a Day
7. Along Came Life

Added: June 23rd 2015
Reviewer: Carl Sederholm
Score:
Related Link: Band Facebook Page
Hits: 1628
Language: english

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