So, when I began seeing mention of a Swedish metal duo called STARSCAPE about to grace the galaxies with a 2021 release called “Colony,” it had my attention. Song titles like “Not Built By Human Hands,” “Colony” & “Structures” had me thinking 2 things, as I ordered the CD (sight unseen & sound unheard): 1) This 2-piece band wasn’t gonna sound like the damn WHITE STRIPES & 2) When’s the damn thing coming in the mail? 🙂
See, I was anxious because just reading about this album, it seemed different. Not another SAB-clone, not the next KYUSS rip-off, nah, this had the feel of “something different,” something that would stand out. And it does.
First track, the 8-minute “Pilgrim Of The Stars” and I’m already in love. It just continues on through “Interstellar,” the title song & beyond. I hear all sorts of stuff mirrored here, from the aforementioned SACRED BLADE to MANILLA ROAD to OMEGA’s 1985 album “The Prophet.” For a current comparison, you could go to HÄLLAS, although while they’re surely influenced by prog, STARSCAPE is a decidedly more metal affair. The perfect distillation of all of this happens in the 10+ minute finale, “Towards The Unknown.” What an epic!
The main sticking point I’ve seen here in reviews have been the vocals, which are mid-range, extremely dramatic and, what could understandably be called quirky. To me, however, this “quirkinesses” is positively engaging & something that draws me into this music even more. It lends itself to the songs and emphasizes the fact that this is easily one of my favorite (& most original) albums of 2021. Colonists, climb aboard! Sir Arthur C. Clarke is already at the helm!
STARSCAPE:
Per-Olof Goransson - communicative devices
Anton Eriksson - navigational instruments
https://starscapemetal.bandcamp.com/
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