Under Darkest Skies


Wake Me For My Eulogy (Promo CD Single) 2003 None
Under Darkest Skies is a quite original band who seems to combine the relaxation of acoustic guitars and harder, somewhat sludgy and somewhat gothic rock. All of this with a slightly doomy atmosphere.

This track was released as a promotion to their EP also named 'Wake Me For My Eulogy'. It lasts only five minutes and is the exact same version as on the EP. Not to mention that it's possible to download it here: http://music.download.com/underdarkestskies/3600-8659_32-100454980.html?tag=listing_song_artist [edit by author: Or at least it used to]. Hence, it's not really something people would go out of their way to buy, nor does it seem to be typical for the band. But many have already uttered their appreciation for it so I'd still recommend people to give it a listen.
Album Cover

1. Wake Me For My Eulogy

Approx. 5 minutes
Reviewed by: Arnstein H. Pettersen
Poisoning The Hearts Of Fate (CD) 2006 Terminal Vanity
The first thing that comes to mind before even listening to 'Poisoning The Hearts Of Fate' is that the name of the band reminds me of the song 'From Darkest Skies' by My Dying Bride. Coincidence? No. The band states them as a huge influence. That's about all the similarities though. This three piece band from Wisconsin, USA plays a kind of music that is very hard to label. It contains some death metal, softer atmospheric parts, heavy guitars, and frequent use of keyboards. A lot of variation. So far so good. Or is it?

I can't say that I like the album. There are too many things that I find annoying to even give it a tenth chance. The screamed vocals easily become very monotone. They're performed the same way, no matter what riff they currently are playing, and are rarely syncopated with the rhythm. There are few heavy parts without vocals at all. Given the fact that I don't like the voice from the beginning, it makes it very irritating that these screams are more or less constantly present. Let the music do the talking once in a while!

The use of a drum machine instead of a real drummer lowers the overall impression even more. Probably because they sound too much like...a drum machine. Usually I wouldn't complain about it but in this case it sounds so bad that it just can't be ignored. It sounds very static. Almost 68 minutes of this is more than I can take.
Album Cover

1. Empty Words From A Lost Apparition
2. A Place Of Fear And No Compromise
3. Scriptures Of The Dead And Forgotten
4. Spirit Skyway And The Scent Of Angel's Breath
5. Poisoning The Hearts Of Fate
6. Parasites From The Kingdom Of Guilt
7. Artwork...For Dead Eyes To See
8. Bitter...Is The Taste Of God's Wine
9. On Through A Fractured Forest Pt.1
10. A Dirge Of Pain And Isolation
11. Shattered Glass And The Taste Of Razor Blades

Approx. 68 minutes
Reviewed by: Kristian Larsson