SKYHARBOR are a progressive metal band that started out on 2010 as a fruit of Indian guitarist Keshav Dhar mind - soon to be joined by British Vocalist Daniel Tompkins of TESSERACT - and eventually leading to the release of SKYHARBOR's debut album "Blinding White Noise: Illusion & Chaos" in april of 2012, that received excellent reception - "Guiding Lights" is not failing to follow that standard of the last album,and in my opinion - even surpasses it.

One important aspect of the album that can not be skipped is the quality of its production - all the instruments are easily heard and have their place in the mix without clashes between some instruments on which that will be heard.

Musically, this album has shown its mark by creating something that many metal, dream pop and even just general djent bands have failed to do: Create a living and vibrant atmosphere. Instead to combining ambiance and djent-y riffs and random heavily distorted guitar fills - SKYHARBOR took a much 'softer' approach to composing, resulting in a comfortable atmosphere that swoops the listener off their feet - instead of just plain jagged noise that usually comes from failed attempts to build an atmosphere. Not to say that this album doesn't get heavy, as shown on the first two tracks of the album: "Allure" and "Evolution", two groovy djent-y tracks that definitely made my head thrash with the beat. However, they took the softer approach for the most of the album - even keeping away from having the guitars drive the amp - enforcing the Dream-Pop vibe of the album. Seventh track "Patience" is a prime example of that - sounding like something that would have came from an early PORCUPINE TREE album.

Each member of the band is able to show their skill on this album. Shining most bright are Dan Tompkins's vocals - thankfully being kept without harsh singing - they serve as the main melody of the album. The drumming on the album is kept simple in such a way that enforces the vibe of the album. Guitars and bass are keeping to the principle of "less is more" on the album - yet definitely not technical - they aren't too simplistic as well, giving it the role of the main gravitational point to the album's atmosphere. Thankfully for the quality production - unlike most modern metal album productions - the bass is actually heard in the album and has its own moments to shine - such as in the track "Allure".

SKYHARBOR definitely succeeded in surpassing the already high standard that they faced from their debut album - giving them a very bright future as a collective - led by their guiding lights to the top.