SUNLESS SKIES

This is the second album from the Italian band Pathosray. I was a little apprehensive when I bought this CD without hearing anything off of it. I just loved their first self title release and was somehow worry that this second offering would not meet my high expectations.

In my opinion, this release is not as good as their debut album, but is definitively still worth looking into.

Their sound evolved a little. It seems a little bit less melodic, a little less clean but at the same time just as powerful. Maybe it is because the keyboards seems either too discreet or too dissonant (like, not quite fitting in?or, dare I say, almost annoying like in "Behind The Shadows", "Quantum Enigma" and "Sons Of A Sunless Skies"). Somehow I prefer the way the keyboards/piano were played (or pounded upon) on their previous album.

The rhythmic and riffs sometimes reminds me of the band "Redemption". I have heard of few passages that reminds me of "Dream Theater" and also "Iced Earth". There are still great vocals harmonies present with also the addition of some female vocals on some tracks (something new) that definitively add value.

"Crown Of Thorns" is a great opening track. Other strong moments on this CD are "In Your Arms", "Sons Of Sunless Skies", the power ballad "The Coldest Lullaby" with a duet with a female singer. "Poltergeist" is the best song here. It is also more representative of what they were doing before (and yes! I definitively like the keyboards on that one!). It has some vocals that remind me of a "Great Gig In The Sky" in the closing of the song. I had the bonus track on my CD "For The Last Time" which repeat some of the lyrics and melody of "Poltergeist" but in a different mood altogether.

Definitively a solid effort from theses guys. I am surprised that they don't get more attention. I hope they keep on the good work and I am definitively looking forward the next release. 4 stars.

Well this didn't blow me away like their debut did (not even close) but there's still lots to like here for Metal fans. They have added two guest female singers who contribute on the last three tracks. Funny but the bonus track is maybe my favourite song on here.That's really unusual.The art work is clever and futuristic to say the least.

"Crown Of Thorns" hits us right away with a heavy onslaught as vocals eventually join in.This is kind of catchy. "Behind The Shadows" sounds amazing to start but that changes when it settles and the vocals arrive. A pretty good instrumental section starts before 3 1/2 minutes. "Aurora" turns heavy quickly and keyboards also join in. It calms right down and the vocals arrive. It picks back up right away though with riffs. A guitar solo after 3 minutes. "Quantic Enigma" opens with intricate guitar then it turns heavy. A calm when the vocals arrives then it kicks back in after a minute as contrasts continue. "In Your Arms" is ballad-like unfortunately although it does get fuller. Still i'm not a fan.

"Sons Of The Sunless Skies" opens with synths and bass before the heaviness takes over.Vocals before a minute as it stays heavy. Lots of background piano later. "The Coldest Lullaby" sounds great on the more aggressive sections not so good on the mellow ones. Female vocals around 2 minutes. "Perpetual Eclipse" features more female vocals with piano this time. It does get fuller. "Poltergeist" hits the ground running then it settles with vocals before a minute, then it kicks back in quickly. Great sound after 4 1/2 minutes.The female vocal melodies late sound really good too.

3.5 stars. I just can't pull the trigger on 4 stars whereas on the debut it was such an easy decision. Well worth checking out though if your a Prog-Metal fan.