Psychedelic head-banging rock

Swedish group Spiral Skies are back with their first full-length album, an excellent and eclectic collection of songs called Blues For a Dying Planet. The album can best be characterized by lead singer Frida’s melodic voice that hits notes that are more than impressive. Beyond the vocals, the guitar and drums in each song wrap them together, creating an album that is equal parts psychedelic as it is spooky and full of head-banging rock. Having only released EP’s before, Blues For a Dying Planet is a fantastic way for Spiral Skies to make their impression on the music world and indicates a bright future for the young band.

The album begins with “Black Hole Waltz,” a song with a title appropriately matching the space theme of the album title. The song is short with only a rather creepy sounding organ setting the theme for the rest of the album. The first full-length song comes next with “Awakening.” It’s a fast song that is in traditional rock style. Frida’s vocals both fit and clash with the instruments in the song perfectly, creating a sound that is very unique. Then comes “Dark Side Of The Cross,” which features some of the best guitar riffs on the album. Another notable early song is “The Wizard’s Ball,” which is a slower, more vocal heavy song. As the song goes on, the vocals get more and more distorted, giving it a more psychedelic sound that the earlier part of the album lacks, but is present in the rest of the songs.

Some other notable songs off of Blues For a Dying Planet are “Danse Macabre” and “Shattered Hopes.” What stands out in “Danse Macabre” is the portion at the very beginning of the song when the vocals are sung softly over a repeating guitar lick. It’s a wonderful artistic choice, and as the vocals get louder the lick continues, only changing slightly, giving the song a recognizable sound. “Shattered Hopes” is a very different song, with a great drumbeat to start it off, and very enthusiastic vocals from Frida. If the guitar is what makes “Danse Macabre” recognizable, then it’s the drums that do it for “Shattered Hopes.” Though coming in lightly behind the guitar and vocals, it’s a great drumbeat that really drives the song forward. The song is upbeat, full of energy, and one of the few songs off the album that fans of any genre of music would enjoy.

Blues For a Dying Planet ends with “The Prisoner,” the longest song on the album, contrasting perfectly with “Black Hole Waltz,” the shortest song and introduction of the album. “The Prisoner” is one of the band’s singles from the album, and it’s a great choice for a single. The song tells a story of sorts about a lack of freedom and the pain and suffering that goes with it. “Maliciously I gallivant throughout the fog of tears/ Seeking out and suppress the chanting and the cheers/ Dystopic in my nature, blithe about ill repute/ Spiteful eyes prowl the alleys searching for dispute.” The lyrics are beautifully written and show the all-around talent of the group. Blues For a Dying Planet is available for purchase on May 18th and is available for pre-order now.