COUNTLESS SKIES is a Melodic Death Metal band based out of England. This is their four-track Demo release on their independent label. "Ethereal" is the opening track. It sways in gently with a nice mixture of keys and lead guitar, and with chord progressions reminding me of the mighty INSOMNIUM. Death vocals in the verses lead to clean vocals in a magnanimous chorus. The gravity of the beauty it departs is underscored. This is an outstanding track and an excellent take on the boundaries of Melodic Death Metal. "Everlast" is a bit swifter and more uplifting, but once again the band has done a great job with the melody, which makes all the difference to me in this style. The Death passages are fierce and vital, but the chorus just shines like a beacon. A sweet interlude adds nicely to the song. "Penance" has a choppy and memorable main riff, and another drawn out chorus that hooks you into the sound effortlessly. I really like the exploration the band takes with various interludes, bridges and supportive connecting passages. The lead guitar melody is something you can almost sing along with.

The closing track "Reverence" is a seven minute masterpiece; the child of INSOMNIUM and DARK TRANQUILITY in many ways. They play easily with hope and despair, light and darkness, aggression and beauty. The two vocal approaches wrestle back and forth with each other, endlessly locked in battle. I have always contended that writing harder and more aggressive metal riffs is much easier than fortuitous melodies. Fortunately, this song does both equally as well. Overall, though the production is a bit muted, it takes nothing away from the magnitude of the songwriting. I am sure the band didn't have a lot to work with in terms of studio monies. Still, I can imagine how wonderful this would sound with more at their disposal. I love how this style is continuing as strongly as it does, while being reborn with each new band that I hear. COUNTLESS SKIES well deserves to be noted in this rebirth. Get this EP and don't make the mistake of sleeping on this band when a full-length album is released.
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