Review: Scent of Remains – Under a Blackened Sky
Artist: Scent of Remains
Album: Under a Blackened Sky
Rating: 10/10
This next band is a little bit different from bands I normally cover, but that doesn’t make them any less impressive. They are metal to the bone! I’m not speaking of open notes and breakdowns, as metal seems to have been watered down to these days, either. The band I speak of is Knoxville’s Scent of Remains. I’ve seen a few people, including my good friend Travis Sells from Annie Sails Sorrow, lichen this band’s sound to Hatebreed. They’ve definitely got that heavy, destroy everything, type of vibe to them without a doubt. However, that’s not all that makes this band. Vocalist Michael Yates has death growls that will make the bones shiver and a high scream that is reminiscent of The Black Dahlia Murder. Their new album, “Under a Blackened Sky” is filled with the type of crushing tracks that only this genre can deliver, but it also has a more subtle side to it as well.
The album as a whole encourages you to be yourself, to really fight for what you believe in, even if all feels lost. This is especially evident in the track, “From Ash We Rise” which is a 4 minute sonic-assault that incorporates uplifting lyrics, crushing guitar riffs and an overall ambience that will have your heart racing as you’re screaming along to your heart’s content! That’s just the tip of the iceberg, though. This album, once again, proves that metal is more than just screaming into a microphone (which, sadly, many seem to believe). You can feel every ounce of heart, soul, blood, sweat and tears that was put into this album. It’s truly an incredible listening experience, whether you’re a fan of the genre or not!
From beginning to end, “Under A Blackened Sky” will renew your faith, not just in metal, but in yourself as well. You’ll feel a new-found strength within with each and every track, waiting to explode and join the rebellion! So join Scent of Remains as they proclaim, “WE RISE, UNDER A BLACKENED SKY!” Pick up the album January 21st through Pavement Entertainment! You’ll be glad you did!
