Skydancer is the latest album from Australian metalcore quartet, In Hearts Wake. The surprise second record of an ambitious two-part release that began with last year’s Earthwalker, Skydancer features a strong and hard-hitting sound that shows In Hearts Wake as one of Australia’s strongest heavy acts.
Skydancer carries on with the same concept-driven material that Earthwalker brought to the table, but does so in a way that’s darker and a lot more pressing. With anthemic lyrics and aggressive vocals, the album manages to bring a heavy sound (”Badlands”) while only occasionally delving into the generic (”Cottonmouth”).
Beginning with the instrumental “Aether”, Skydancer moves into tracks that have seamless transitions and bring about something new. The album’s title track is big and anthemic, with The Ghost Inside’s Jonathan Vigil lending his vocals to create a track that is easily one of the band’s best. There’s a cinematic element that follows and makes its presence known throughout through the record’s clean choruses, aggressive verses and in-your-face instrumentation. And while tracks like the aforementioned “Badlands” bring about a heavy sound, there are those like “Insomnia” and “Wildfire” that, while not light, allow listeners to delve into In Hearts Wake’s melodic side.
Skydancer ends the same way it began, with light instrumental track that ties the whole album together. Using the addition of spoken words, “Father” creates an impact that’ll leave listeners thinking, and instrumentally, it’s one of the album’s strongest tracks and ends it perfectly.
Overall, Skydancer is a strong showing for In Hearts Wake. While occasionally moving into generic territory with their guitars and screams, the band overall have managed to keep themselves fresh and new, a feat that’s hard to do, especially seeing as the album was recorded at the same time as Earthwalker. The ability to create two albums that are similar in concept, but different sonically is something the band should be applauded for. It’s a must-have for music fans, and is an album I can see being on repeat for awhile.
Skydancer carries on with the same concept-driven material that Earthwalker brought to the table, but does so in a way that’s darker and a lot more pressing. With anthemic lyrics and aggressive vocals, the album manages to bring a heavy sound (”Badlands”) while only occasionally delving into the generic (”Cottonmouth”).
Beginning with the instrumental “Aether”, Skydancer moves into tracks that have seamless transitions and bring about something new. The album’s title track is big and anthemic, with The Ghost Inside’s Jonathan Vigil lending his vocals to create a track that is easily one of the band’s best. There’s a cinematic element that follows and makes its presence known throughout through the record’s clean choruses, aggressive verses and in-your-face instrumentation. And while tracks like the aforementioned “Badlands” bring about a heavy sound, there are those like “Insomnia” and “Wildfire” that, while not light, allow listeners to delve into In Hearts Wake’s melodic side.
Skydancer ends the same way it began, with light instrumental track that ties the whole album together. Using the addition of spoken words, “Father” creates an impact that’ll leave listeners thinking, and instrumentally, it’s one of the album’s strongest tracks and ends it perfectly.
Overall, Skydancer is a strong showing for In Hearts Wake. While occasionally moving into generic territory with their guitars and screams, the band overall have managed to keep themselves fresh and new, a feat that’s hard to do, especially seeing as the album was recorded at the same time as Earthwalker. The ability to create two albums that are similar in concept, but different sonically is something the band should be applauded for. It’s a must-have for music fans, and is an album I can see being on repeat for awhile.