Slovakia's sextet SINNERS MOON are back with a new EP release, following their debut full-length "Atlantis" in 2015. Originally founded as an independent project in 2010 by guitarist and composer Luken, the project soon became a band, in the Symphonic Metal genre. The new EP here "Far Beyond the Stars" contains five new tracks, along with the demo version of an unreleased song called "Dawn of War." Let's get to the listening experience! "The Awakening" is a brief lead-in instrumental, pulsing with light and airy symphonic elements, seguing into the title track "Far Beyond the Stars." It definitely has fantastical and mythical feeling to it. The low brass notes in the beginning are deep and rich, and we have a two-fold vocal approach, with Simona's soprano cleans and Derick's low, gravely harsh vocals. Harmonized guitar leads sprinkle in some additional sounds, as well as the brief keyboard solo.
"Travelers" begins with some low bass guitar whacks, and a slightly quicker pace. The guitar riffs provide a lot of the sound for the song, and the trade-off clean and harsh vocals keep things interesting for sure. If you appreciate what symphonic elements can bring to a song, I believe you will enjoy this because they are not overpowering, but rather very supporting. Derick's harsh vocals are very gritty and throaty and add a nice layer to the beauty of the sound. "Skusime To Cez Vesmir" translates to "flying through the universe" and is sung in native tongue. It has a galloping Power Metal sound, fueled by double bass, and the instrumental sections where guitar and keyboards work in unison are a nice touch.
The piano version of "Far Beyond the Stars" is very heartwarming. One of the things I like most about the genre of Metal music is the versatility and diversity of instruments that work so well with the heavy sound. Piano is perhaps my favorite "non-traditional" instrument. It gives you the chance to hear the melody cleanly and assimilate fully the vocals. The mysterious sound is just beautiful. Closing the EP is the 2011 demo version of "Dawn of War." An opening keyboard laden sound joins with symphonic elements in a fast-moving track. Harsh vocals come at you right out of the gate, then harmonized with cleans. It is the heaviest song on the EP in my opinion, and one that deserves to be heard so I am glad that they included it on the new EP.
Overall, this was an enjoyable EP in the genre of Symphonic Metal. In keeping with the theme of outer space, time travel and the stars, you can connect with that when listening to the tracks, and the album as a whole. The songwriting is solid as is the production, and the contrasting vocal styles really add some dimension. Give it a listen!
