FELLOWSHIP is a power metal band from England, who formed in 2019. Their latest release, “The Skies Above Eternity,” is their second full-length album; they have also released two EPs. FELLOWSHIP’s brand of power metal band is super catchy with slick production (perhaps too slick) and quick, rousing songs that tick off all the boxes of what makes a solid power metal album. Well, most of them. The issue I have with this album is how mismatched it sounds between the vocals and the music. Don't get me wrong—Matthew Corry is a fantastic and fully capable vocalist. But he's in the wrong band. His tone, inflection, and energy have all the hallmarks of a very poppy, mainstream style.

His vocals, as powerful as they are, keep the music from being as heavy as it should be. Granted, this is power metal so I don't expect anything overly aggressive. However, his vocals make every song sound like the intro to an anime. I can't help but feel that both he and the band would be better off without each other. That isn’t to say the album is terrible—it isn’t, and there are bright spots to be found, however few they are. The guitars are wonderful, specifically the solos. I’m not sure which of the two guitarists handless the lead duties (maybe both?) but every solo or lead is a pleasure and worth a listen or two. The drums and bass are huge–bombastic and wide, offering an epic, deep sound that helps the songs stay grounded even as their most melodic

The opening song, “Hold Up Your Hearts (Again)” is a pretty good example of what the album has to offer. If you like this one, the rest of the album will be a breezy, easy listen. If this one is a slog to get through, the album won’t improve for you and I would recommend just skipping it. As for myself, it’s serviceable and hooky but, again, I can’t get past how much the vocals don’t work at all for the band. With that being said, the chorus is huge and the leads shine. “Dawnbreaker,” is another solid effort. The vocals work better here than on any other song and the leads seem to be telling their own story just as well as the lyrics. The tempo is fast with riffs that are tight and sharp.

“King of Nothing,” is another banger that offers a solid, if unremarkable, listen. The solo after the three minute mark is the definite highlight but overall rhythm is quite a bit more aggressive on this song than some of the others. The album ends on the oddly placed, short instrumental, “Memories On The Wind,” which feels much more like an intro song and doesn't really have a reason to be where it is at. All in all, I didn’t hate FELLOWSHIP’s “The Skies Above Eternity” but it’s not really my cup of tea either. This might be an ok introduction to metal that is catchy and to the point but for hardcore power metal fans, this isn't going to hold much interest.