COUNTLESS SKIES is a Melodic Death Metal band based out of the United Kingdom. Formed in 2009, they had previously released an EP in 2014. This is the band's first full-length release, and it contains six new tracks, a previously release single, and one track from the original EP. "Aubade" is a short instrumental, opening with a delicate piano melody which leads to the main riff. Though I would be completely remiss if I did not say that the sound reminds me of the mighty INSOMNIUM, the way they compose the guitar layers is something unique to them. Look at the album cover and this is what you would see in the sky above as you listen to this song. It segues into "Heroes" quite nicely. While the guitar parts brace for an all-out attack, the Death vocals establish the heaviness. The chorus is really strong here, and just two half-step change in the direction of the chord progressions hooks deep with emotion.

"Incendium" was the first song that I heard before the forthcoming album release, and for me was the first I heard that ventured them into some new and exciting territory that they had not completely explored before. It's quicker in pace and the lead guitar parts glitter like a spinning disco ball illuminating a club. The meter variations give it a unique quality as well. "Solace" was the single released between the EP and LP. I love the acoustic guitar and piano opening that establish the melody underneath the charge that follows. There are several distinct passages here that go beyond verse, chorus, repeat. The clean vocals after the second chorus and the interlude section following the guitar solo add some depth to the track. I like how they circle back with the acoustic guitar again as well. Great texture here. "Daybreak" has an absolutely splendorous sound right out of the gate, with a hurried pace and clean vocals leading the way. The melodies are impeccably constructed and connect in a way that hits you in the "feels" as they say. This song was played repeatedly in my head.

"Etherial" was on the original EP, but re-done for this album. I remember it fondly from the first time, because it has such a nice balance between the beauty and the beast so to speak. Melodic Death Metal does not have to feature clean vocals, but I have always maintained that it adds beauty to a genre that was created with that notion in mind. I think this approach is well noted in this song. "Wanderer" extends to over seven minutes. The opening melody is quite charming, and leads to a soft passage of whispered vocals in the verse. "The mind can see what the eyes cannot." As I listen to the various passages working in unison, I picture a robed man passing over the earth, on a trail through fields, forest, creeks, high mountains and low pastures. This is the kind of song that you take in widely.

The final track, "Return," is over ten minutes. The four-chord melody is the verses are both hopeful and gloomy at the same time. The song is full of welcomed surprises and really shows a lot of songwriting character. From flute and keys, to the riff and meter shifting, it reminds of me RUSH in the sense of how well they can work in different subsets of melody within the same song, without the song meandering. I knew from their original EP that this band was going to be special in this genre. While they have showed growth and development from then until now, they have a core sound that has not faltered. At the same time they have shown great breadth in songwriting and a willingness to explore. With "New Dawn," COUNTLESS SKIES have planted themselves firmly in this genre of Metal.