Starlight to hit streaming services with 1st Contemporary Lounge Rock EP

I like it when a artist leaves the sound for which he or she has become so well known for. You cannot know what comes around and how a particular musician sounds in a different environment.

 

This time Mick Michaels, guitarist of Traditional Metallers Corners Of Sanctuary has opened up a solo project called Starlight. It goes into some sort of Retro Rock sound also some surprisingly rough elements shine through (check the vocals on "I don't want to go"). 

 

The story behind this EP is exciting so let's have a closer look upon it.

“About six years ago, a friend and mentor suggested I try my hand at something other than Heavy Metal,” said Michaels. “He even suggested I do the singing…which I considered for a second but felt it wasn’t what would be completely best for this project. Bringing others into the fold would be the direction it would have to take to get it off the ground.”

With the help of an industry contact, Michaels recruited unknown singer and violinist, Taryn Dorothy, for lead vocals and also enlisted Corners of Sanctuary bandmate and drummer Mad T to supply the back beat, with Michaels providing guitars, bass and keyboards.

“Taryn’s voice adds so much diversity and depth to the songs…each track took on a new flavor once her vocals were added,” said Michaels.

Starlight’s “Under the Radar” will be available February 12th 2021 on multiple digital platforms including: iTunes, Spotify, Deezer, Google Music, Amazon among many others.  

 

You can have a short overview of the upcoming release with this preview video.

EP Review: Corners Of Sanctuary - For COS and Country (Traditional American Metal, 2020)

The newest output introduces a new vocalist. Did that change the band's well known sound formula?

War is a topic that is covered through many songs of Corners Of Sanctuary.

Well, it all start's suprisingly with a fast paced track. "Victoria" holds a strong riff from start to finish with a short but in-the-ear biting refrain. The new frontman introduces a traditional organ with classic metal characteristics. It's a short track but gives a good kickstart to get into the mood.

Track 2 "The Raid (For God and Country)" reduces the speed to midtempo. This piece of music shows more diversity added in terms of riff variation, drum pattern as well as vocal presentation. It's warmly welcomed by the reviewer. There's so much saturation of the sound that stems from the vocalist that it may feel overwhelming on the start. Sure a track worth many rounds of listening - so many details to discover in here.

The "Desert Angel" is a even more complex thing. Once more the tempo is set slow and the intensity of the vocal work goes a heavier route. It partly makes use of more modern vocal touches - the longer hold of higher parts for instance. The many guitar splitters and effects worked in here make it a special one. It all made me push the repeat button - I needed to find out how all of this comes together.

The next one comes around faster. "Sandstorm Salvation" is a more straight forward number with powerful shout out refrain. It's all built to let some energy fly around - short in duration and guitars and drums all set a more easier way. Warmly welcomed after a potion of complexity.

A instrumental closes the EP. It's a short collage of guitar sounds. It would be great to know how this is can be played on the guitar properly.

Finally to answer the question from the start I'd dare to say the band has put more eye to detal on "For COS and Country". Most of the package needs a closer listen and the vocals contribute a even deeper part as ever before.

For all of you guys out there with a faible of traditional material that like to re-listen with a close ear a strong recommendation.

Here's the opener of the EP "Victoria".

Purchase the music as Compact Disc through the band's own webpage with a paypal payment.

Spiritual Sickness is looking for a vocalist (m/f)

Wonders happen. Often in those moments when you expect them the least. It has been like this when this news reached my inbox about this killer power metal band based in New York that already said goodbye some time ago. It looks as if the band has picked up fresh energy and is now hungry for new deeds. But they need a new vocalist to continue their way. That's your chance - pick the microphone and show them you're the one they're looking for.

Here's what it takes:

Spiritual Sickness are poised to land on big stages across the world. With a new record well on its way to completion, the band needs a strong vocal presence to complete the vision.

The aspiring vocalist needs to be dedicated in his or her approach, with a strong voice, good range and a vivid imagination. Someone who is willing to hit the road and crush audiences around the world. A team player who wants to help propel this band towards its Destiny.

Spiritual Sickness has a wealth of musical talent, dedication, a strong work ethic, a love of metal music,and a deep well of experience on stages, in studios, and on the road.

If your musical goals align with ours, put your name on the list and let’s get to
work. You can get in touch with the band through Facebook.

Here's some music to listen to:

Finally this is what happened recently in the band's camp:

A four-piece heavy metal band with many diverse influences, Spiritual Sickness Is looking for a vocalist to complete their lineup. The band is building on the success of two killer releases (their 2011 debut album "Architects of Agony" and the follow-up 2014 EP "Spiritual Sickness") and is getting quite the reputation as an aggressive, hard working, innovative heavy metal outfit.

Spiritual Sickness has been creating opportunities for themselves by impressing national touring headliners, managers, tour managers, and everyone who has worked with them.

The band has toured with Ghost Ship Octavius, Cage and most recently as direct support for The Three Tremors on their first European tour, with Spiritual Sickness touring as Benedictum with the infamous Veronica Freeman at the helm. They have already been invited to do it again in 2019, this time as Spiritual Sickness and have many more other opportunities looming.

CD Review: Dawn Ahead - A Trip Of Violence (Thrash, 2018)

A blasting pack of classic thrash mixed up with slightly modern touches.

The cover of the "A trip of violence" EP, (c) by Dawn Ahead

This mini album is a display of potential. You can feel at every corner that the band is giving full gas. Just do yourselves a favor and skip track one. It's the only weak track on here because it's simply to trivial and usual. As of track two and onwards the real journey begins.

It's a feast of classic pounding thrash numbers most of the time. Two songs also go the more midtempo direction something warmly welcomed to add some change. It's those numbers that the band shows that they can do more than thrash all on it.

From all the noise the vocals stand out. They go through the full range that a vocalist can do. It's this what I would describe as slightly modern in here. So you'll get it all from clear to grunty from loud to silent notes.

The other musicians do well, too. They add the classic thrash formula to the tunes. Think of old Testament in the style of the track "Apocalptic City" from the first effort of the Bay Area veterans ("The Legacy") and you'll quickly know what I'm writing about.

If you're in a agressive mood this one perfectly fits in. Pick up your copy for only 5 Euro plus shipping and handling from the band's homepage directly. I've been told that more is in the makings so keep some eye on Facebook. Dawn Ahead are surely a pack to see live. I hope I can check them on stage some other day.  As a teaser listen to the title track below.