Sometimes, patience is required for the understanding of an album, especially when dealing with modern Metal bands. There are occasions when the contrasts and differences can be in a way that isn't something expected. And that the way of "Earth & Sky", the latest release from the North American quartet OF MICE & MEN. Their musical work is based on a fusion of aspects of Modern Metal tendencies with a Metalcore core. It can be melodic and tender sometimes, but ferocious and brutal on others, but in a consensual way. But a great difference is from the band's ability to created excellent catchy melodies and charming choruses is something to be praised. And if the reader can pay a deeper attention, their musical arrangements flow in a spontaneous form, what is a difficult feature to hear on modern Metal genres sometimes.

Josh Wilbur produced and mixed the album, and Ted Jensen worked on the mastering. And they did a great work, making the songs of "Earthandsky" sounds aggressive and impacting, but always in a clean way. And it's not sounding mechanic as some albums of such ways sound sometimes. Be prepared, because there are too many musical contrasts presented on "Earth & Sky". And the brutal "As We Suffocate" with its modern melodies (and very good clean and harsh vocals can be heard in a great way), the groove Metal inserts heard on "Taste of Regret" (excellent guitar parts), the hooking melodies of "Pieces" (another great moment of the guitars) and of "Deceiver/Deceived", the fine technical insight of "Earth & Sky" (besides it doesn't destroy the spontaneous feeling of the song, and what a great chorus), the broke tempo parts of "Meltdown" (very good work from drums and bass guitar), and the modern elements of "How to Survive" can be said as the album's finest moments.

"Earth & Sky" is not an album easy to be swallowed on the first hearing, but by the second time on it, you'll be hooked by OF MICE & MEN's musical work.