Stockholm based SPIRAL SKIES is an orchestra who plays what can most easily be described as "On other planets kinda Rock". Fronted by the charismatic singer Frida, SPIRAL SKIES' sound is a fine blend between 70's Psychedelic Rock and 80's Heavy Metal, with lots of spices of Doom, Folk and Fuzz all mixed in a whirly brew. The new album here contains nine tracks.

"The Endless Sea" leads off the album. Frida does have an excellent voice, but the retro feeling I am having here is minimalistic. The band can sound retro while filling the air with more background elements. The riffing is overly simple, and the sad quality of the song doesn't do much for me. "While the Devil is Asleep" features nice little groove, but that throwback late 60's/early 70's sound isn't really exciting me at all. "Into the Night" begins with thumping bass notes and some lead guitars. The energy here is brewing a bit, and the chorus is catchy and rich. This song does present some original elements.

"Somewhere in the Dark" is a short, three-minute song with a more concise sound. The rhythms are steady, but the dark quality of the music is pronounced once again. Frida's vocals fit the music perfectly. "Heart of Darkness" features a throw-back riff from the early 70's. The vocals are very well done here but the music doesn't keep up. The simple riffing among the dark sound is pretty bland. "Nattmaran" presents a faster riff, but the longing qualities are too pronounced. The riff reminds me of early JUDAS PRIEST. It gets dirty after the half-way mark, really grinding out. "Time" begins with slow, clean guitars and more of that depressing sound. Time is, of course, the greatest enemy of mankind. As days pass, you think you have plenty of it. But when you turn 50 and look back, you wonder where it all went.

"Mirage" swing with a bluesy feeling. But that reliance on overly lamenting vocals gets old at this point on the album. The bass work is excellent, however. "Mirror of Illusion" closes the album, with big, fat guitar notes and more melancholy sounds. The emotional qualities of this song are real, but to what end? I really have a personal problem with bands trying to reproduce a sound that has long passed. What purpose can possibly come from this sound? At least if you are going to attempt to replicate this sound from yesteryear, you will need to inject plenty of your own personality into it. Unfortunately, they don't. The best part of the band is the vocalist, but the music leaves a lot to be desired.