When I first heard the name Black Ribbon Sky, dark and interesting came to mind. Browsing through the song titles on the CD sleeve, I thought, “Oh no, looks like a bunch of whiny emo songs”; listening to it put the music in a much different light.
The music is quite heart pounding and jolts the metal core within a balance of 80’s metal and modern thrash tones. Rough and raw vocals grate but make up for it with demonic like roars, growls, banshee screams and low haunting baritones, all that passionately sing of heartache and regret. Twisted wicked percussion is supplemented with speedy and melodic cymbal action. The percussion mixes well with the fast paced riffs of thrashy yet eccentric guitar licks, and all form together to offer a solid metal brilliance that intermingles with the darkness of the lyrics.
Songs noteworthy of top rock status are “Don’t Care”, “Pain Love Hate” (though similar in song title to Godsmacks “Love Hate Sex Pain”, the song holds its own in originality and arrangement), and “These Scars Bleed” for its fantastic guitar solo. “This Life” lends a very heavy sound that reverberates with pulse-racing thrash quality mixed with melancholic serenade.
For the metal lover that likes a variety of sound in their rock music, look no further than Black Ribbon Sky. It has all you need: metal, thrash, and rock that harmonizes classic with modern sound. An ear-pleaser for the rocker that's looking for something new with a familiar ring.
