Release date: 23rd February 2018
Battlesoul’s latest release Sunward And Starward is one of those awkward albums that has the potential to be really good, and as such has some absolutely mighty moments, but also has parts that will leave you wanting to recoil. When it’s good, it’s rather impressive, but during the album’s weaker points it leaves a lot to be desired.
Take third track Arrival, for example. The whistle line atop of the lush ambience sets the scene well before the crashing guitars are added for effect, and when the harsh vocals kick in, the track just sounds tremendously epic and it keeps up the pace for the rest of the song’s duration. It has a bit of everything and certainly sets the bar high, showing exactly what Battlesoul are capable of.
However, if you move on to later track The Loss Of Sons, this one just falls a little flat. The vocals are somewhat lacklustre, with the half-yelled approach not really working for the band, and the female vocals in the latter half, whilst impressively delivered, sound somewhat out of place and like they don’t really belong. Additionally, the flow of the song is a little jerky, with all the individual elements not quite merging together.
It’s a shame because Sunward And Starward could be a great listen if it wasn’t for its inconsistency. Battlesoul definitely have the ability to create incredible tracks, but they haven’t quite hit the nail on the head this time around.
5/10
