Last Stop Inn

Metalreviews.com

Grey Skies Fallen began in 1996 as Eve Of Mourning. The name was later changed, obviously, due to another band having the same name. They released two demos before releasing their first full-length album, The Fate Of Angels, in 1999. This was my introduction to the band. The Fate Of Angels was an overall doom death album that wasn’t shy about wandering off into melodic death metal territory (“The Purest Form”) or into something more experimental and mellow (“Spiral Dreams,” “Athena”). The atmospherics of that album and the delicate balance between doom death and melodic, dark metal are very reminiscent of The Gathering’s early albums—those without the female vocals of Anneke van Giersbergen—Always… and Almost A Dance. Three years later, with a few new band members, the band released Tomorrow’s In Doubt—an album I never even knew existed until about a month ago (revoke my metal license now!). This album took the secondary, prog-like atmospherics of The Fate Of Angels and kicked it up a notch, bringing it to the forefront. But at the same time, the doom was replaced by a more traditional death metal sound. Another striking contrast that the band managed to make work, like on their debut only with different elements

In the years that followed the band found themselves writing material that was a bit of a departure from their previous output; the heavy, death metal doom-and-gloom had become virtually non-existent and the dark progressive, atmospheric metal took over. This caused tension in the band and that lead to some band member departures, new members coming and going, emotional breakdowns from years of pent up frustration and other internal shake-ups that eventually buckled the foundation of the band and they broke up. A short time later, though, after a much needed break, the Tomorrow’s In Doubt—an almost prophetic album title—line-up reunited and decided to go back to the heavier sound of their first two albums, but agreed that the songs written over the past two years deserved to be released and heard. Those songs collectively became Two Way Mirror. I mentioned early The Gathering as a comparison point to The Fate Of Angels, well, Two Way Mirror can musically be compared to latter day The Gathering. The album is abundant with a dark, rock-like atmosphere and Floydian soundscapes, beautiful melodies and layers of rich keyboard work. “Blue” begins the show; it’s a slow, soft strummer for the most part with a nice chorus; it picks up a bit around the midway point and steadily builds itself up for a grand exit that features the heaviest vocals to be found on the CD. The piano dominates the next song, “Drift,” which is one of the highlights of the album. It’s a stunningly beautiful and somber song—albeit the shortest on the album—with some great lyrics. I think this song would have been a better opener for the album. “The Opposite Of Up” takes the style of the previous two tracks and combines them, dark, slow and brooding, heavy with emotion. The album follows a similar path throughout, dreary, emotional and dreadfully soulful. “Carry On”—one the four songs initially written in 2004—closes the CD and is the heaviest of the bunch, relatively speaking. It features a lot of keyboard and some heavier vocals, but slightly mellower than those heard on “Blue.” A great way to end an otherwise excellent album. A special nod goes to the oddball of the album, “This Sinking Feeling,” a quasi-(do not be alarmed!)-country-tinged track that somehow manages to work. It’s really not country, but the verse guitar lends itself a sort of country-esque tone, even a dreamy, Caribbean quality. The song has a great chorus and it picks up toward the end with some nice dual lead work, it’s probably the most up-tempo song on the album, but it’s still a great tune. The album also features an enhanced section with a 25-minute Making Of video that shows the band in good times and in very bad times, a simple discussion on the tempo of a particular song becomes a brutal war of words between band members, and apparently this was the final straw that temporarily put an end to the band, forever captured on film. It’s a very insightful look at how five guys trying to create music that is close to their individual hearts can find themselves at serious odds. This is not Some Kind Of Monster, there are no documentary crews there intending on filming a disaster or overpaid therapists or jackass drummers in slippers and a robe, this is raw and real, not something many bands would let fans see. It’s very interesting to watch, though. The musicianship and production on the album is superb throughout, the layers of guitars, vocals and keyboards mesh well; they’re clear and strong in the mix. My one complaint about this album, though, is the heavier guitar tone; it seems to lack that sonic punch and sort of comes off a little thin around the midsection. It’s still far from bad, but the album, I think, would have been served bette - Metalreviews.com

’Two Way Mirror’ is the third album for this interesting band. They were formed in 1996 as Eve of Mourning (under that name they released a promo tape), but later changed their name because that name had already been taken by another band. Under their new name, they released ’The Fate of Angels’ in 1999, and in 2002 ’Tomorrow's in Doubt’ - both claiming positive reviews and comments. There are not many bands around who sound like this one; actually, I can’t compare it with anything I know - maybe ’Memoirs’ by The 3rd and the Mortal and ’Am Universum’ by Amorphis are the closest to their sound.

The music is melodic and melancholic but not depressing. I can’t pick any one song which stands out, as each one is a vital part of the whole album. Anyone who claims to be a music lover must hear this. I can only add that you can order the album through their webpage at www.greyskiesfallen.com for 10 US dollars (1 euro ~ 1.3 dollars). Believe me, for less than the cost of 2 beers from a Friday night exit, you’re going to buy something that will keep you company for long time. - Reviewed by Dimitris Plastiras

Right up front, I like these guys because: A) their sound is different, B) their web site is entertainingly unassuming and, unlike many bands, actually worth reading and C) for a DIY band, everything they're fronting is utterly professional. If you're a believer that great art only comes from great suffering, you oughta love what these cats have dished up on "Two Way Mirror" based on the tumultuous time that they've had over the past seven years.

That said, many of you won't dig this in the least because it is not "in yer face" metal by any means. In fact, I don't know if it even qualifies as metal (though the group may argue that point. Is Anathema metal nowadays? What about Katatonia?? The Gathering??? The definition is getting too difficult to determine for this old dog). I don't really know how to pigeonhole the band into a specific genre, but the sound and vibe presented here is much more modern, doomy, alternative rock than blood-drinkin' metal. The band does break out some extreme vocals (used very sparingly and not present on every cut, which means that when they scream, it actually has an emotional impact) and the backing guitars are often distorted - so that's metal, I reckon. But the lead vocals are mostly mid-range, introspective, clean crooning and acoustic strings and atmospheric keys play a prominent role. The tempos are usually plodding and the mood typically grim ala doom, so maybe you can call this progressive doom metal. Hell, I don't know.

I really dig the clean vocals despite the fact that they're not technically impressive. However, for the music, they're a perfect fit - and I'll take vibe over technical proficiency every time. Guitarist Rich Habeeb is the crooner (sometimes roarer), but second guitarist Joe D'Angelo doubles some of the lines to great effect. I like that some of the verses are doubled and that it's not always the choruses getting that treatment. Theses guys are thinkin' - sweet. This is a band that's not cranking out the same old thing and yet they're creating songs with solid, familiar structure - a neat trick, that. They're doing stuff that I haven't heard a million times before, which I truly appreciate more than I can express.

So, I can ramble on for several more paragraphs about the artful use of the keyboards, the nifty drumming, the audible bass lines, the ever-present ominous tone, the spiritually freeing metal bits, the impressive production and mix, the cool graphics, the nice tidy booklet with all the lyrics, and a bunch of other stuff - but frankly, if you have an interest in rock bands that have something of their own to say, Grey Skies Fallen is one of those bands and that's enough said. Fans of experimental metal, check them out now. I like every track on this self-described eight song "EP". I can see these guys blowing up huge if the right label executive weasel hears them and they get the right exposure, which would be nice for them. One thing for sure, this album is nice for me. It's records like this that makes reviewing stuff so rewarding. Highest possible recommendation with the caveat that you gotta like alterna rock vocals to lock into the vibe.

Standout Tracks
This Sinking Feeling
Carry On
Drift
Forget the Past

- Reviewed by D.Berger

New York doom metallers Grey Skies Fallen started out as Eve Of Mourning in 1996, with Rick Habeeb (vocals and guitars), Joe D'Angelo (guitars), and Chris Montalbano (bass). A name change ensued and Grey Skies Fallen released The Fate of Angels in 1999. About three years later, they followed with the epic Tomorrows in Doubt, and their songs became longer and more intricate. Line-up changes have always plagued Grey Skies Fallen, but Rick, Joe, and keyboardist Craig Rossi became the band's core.

Now comes the long awaited third album, Two Way Mirror. Initially, I was taken aback by this album because it's much more mellower than the previous albums. There's also little to no distortion on the guitars. "Blue" opens the disc in a subtle manner and gradually builds in intensity. Next is the weird, but quiet vocal and keyboard segue, "Drift." This leads to the title track which may be Grey Skies Fallen's best song ever and Rick's vocals are phenomenal. "The Opposite of Up" is constructed similar to "Blue;" starting melancholy and getting heavier. "This Sinking Feeling" is the most aggressive song here and most like their previous material. "Forget the Past" and "The Few" are excursions in song development and the progressive "Carry On" closes Two Way Mirror.

Some may compare the new sound of Grey Skies Fallen to recent Anathema. People who were fans of Tomorrows in Doubt and The Fate of Angels may be surprised by Grey Skies Fallen's development but they have taken a natural step.

Album Score: 8 out of 10

- Reviewed by: Brett VanPut

With the critically acclaimed Dismantling Devotion, Daylight Dies will hopefully open the door to more darkly elegant metal from the US. And one such band is Grey Skies Fallen, a band that through two previous albums, changed styles but still received some underground praise, and that change and praise continues with this third album.

Starting out as a My Dying Bride-ish doom band with debut The Fate of Angels, then branching out to more progressive, melodic death metal with Tomorrow’s In Doubt, Grey Skies Fallen have taken 4 years off to morph into their current sound; a dark, progressive form of bleak rock (think new Anathema) that the Europeans are far more known for. There are some gruff growls, but on the whole the clean vocals of Rick Habeeb are serviceably emotional and sullen, if hardly on Garm levels.

Two Way Mirror consists of material written while the band was on hiatus and reflects the mood of a broken up band, tumultuous times and eventual reformation; it’s at times sad (“Blue”, “Drift”), at times angry (“This Sinking Feeling”), reflective (“Two Way Mirror”, “Forget the Past”), reconciliation (“The Few”) and ultimately redeeming (“Carry On”) virtually mirroring the band's career.

Regardless of mood, the music is depressively elegant for the most part as the tones waft delicately with the occasional ‘extreme’ peak by way of some growls and some more aggressive guitars (“Blue”, “Two Way Mirror”, “This Sinking Feeling”, "The Opposite of Up"), but for the most part Habeeb and co. stick with subtle, ebbing, understated textures and introspective prose that’s relaxed and somber with a slight prog tone (tinkering synths, keys, etc). Either way it's all top notch stuff, even if hindered by the slightly flat production, that’s understandable considering this is a virtually self produced, mastered and released affair (Xanthros Music is Grey Skies Fallen).

Any fans of emotional, evocative music should seek this out, there’s just too much skill, commitment and dedication in this band to let them fall by the wayside. - Erik Thomas

NYC’s much maligned doom metal troupe Grey Skies Fallen have had its share of revolving door members, crappy shows, and genuine bad luck that plagues 98% of the unsigned bands around the world (just ask for a copy of the unit’s comprehensive history to feel the pain firsthand). Yet, through all the tumultuousness, the project carried on, shaping itself to become the juggernaut that the eight-track release TWO WAY MIRROR exhibits. Running the gamut from death metal disembowelment to progressive rock freakouts, this band’s mostly pristine and sometimes punishing sound encompasses Pink Floyd, Type O Negative, Steely Dan, Queensryche, and Novembers Doom, usually all during one of their extensively thorough tracks such as “The Few”. Armed with a massive amount of musical prowess, songs like “Drift” and “Blue” are carried by shimmering guitar lines, prominently powerful drumming, and slightly ambient synth and keyboard work. While the vocals could use a bit of a boost in the range department, despite their limitations, they manage to provide a mechanically metallic feel (think Burton C. Bell meets Page Hamilton) that fits in rather well alongside the Rick Wakeman-esque keyboard solos of “Carry On” and the band’s overall methodically measured presentation. Persistent and bursting with talent, TWO WAY MIRROR highlights a band on the fringe whose vast influences and multitude of musical ability make this outfit hard to describe but fun for those that enjoy a great deal of variety. www.greyskiesfallen.com -Mike SOS - By Mike SOS