BlackSky – “Illumination”

Over the past few years bands fronted by female vocalists have been making an increasingly large mark in the metal scene. Groups like Arch Enemy, Within Temptation, Lacuna Coil, Flylfeaf and many more have all achieved high levels of acclaim and success while fronted by powerful women. BlackSky is yet another group that demonstrate that women too can rock the vocals to heavy music. The band’s new album Illumination is a clear example of the sheer beauty achieved when properly mixing heavy music and both female and male vocals.

The album begins with a piano intro tracked by keyboardist Walt Fleming which flows into instrumental drags of the song “Redemption” setting the pace for the rest of this dark album. BlackSky touches on a gothic sound and mixes itself with some black metal. Kristen Martel leads in majestic clean vocals and Greg Musgrave layers on inferior growls which create the key BlackSky sound. At times Greg Musgrave also adds melodic singing which can be heard in the song “Windigo”. The keyboards play a major role in the band’s sound, bringing harmony leads over the rest of the instrumentals.

At a quick glance, original fans of BlackSky may notice some familiarity on the album cover. The cover is identical to their 2005 demo …Of Sins And Shadows with the creative artwork of Dennis Thompson and Lance Davis. The dissonant photography within the booklet was done by James C Stangroom of JCS Photo, all being performance shots of BlackSky.

Illumination is an album of various qualities that are rarely seen within metal. Hopefully this album helps to push the trend for more female fronted metal bands within Canada and worldwide. Fans of Deadlock, Leaves Eyes, Lacuna Coil and Echoes Of Eternity will be interested in BlackSky.  [ END ]

Track Listing:

01. Intro
02. Redemption
03. Windigo
04. The Road Upwinds
05. Three Nights Waiting
06. Prelude To A Dream
07. True Believer
08. Breathe In Disease
09. Illumination
10. Sorrow

Run Time: 49:10
Release Date: 05.01.2007