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This is the band's eighth album, it has been 15 years of inspiration, discovery, maturity and evolution for them. In Ecliptica you could notice Power Metal along with influences of Neo-Classical, then Silence took on pure Power Metal, Winterheart's Guild showed a transition towards some Progressive and ambient sound, Reckoning Night displayed more darkness in terms of lyrics and sound - making it their turning point in Power-Progressive Metal, then Unia went on with the Progressive style with some gothic and orchestral influences, so did The Days of Grays (much darker still), and finally with Stones Grow Her Name, you could find a mixture of their old days of Hard Rock, Progressive style and a few tracks evoking shadows of Winterheart's Guild and Reckoning Night. It could be said that they have experimented a lot and have worked hard to keep themselves fresh and constant. Now, with Pariah's Child, they vary all those mentioned sounds and influences with ease and experience. So, for those who expected this to be a return to Ecliptica or Silence in some way, be warned, this is NOT a return to form - it does evoke some of that past, but it isn't that past. Every band deserves to find ways to stay constant, and SA has kept themselves that way, not yielding to what others want or to keeping themselves repetitive and safe. They have kept true fans and supporters, and they have lost fans, but what matters is what keeps the band going on and what makes them feel comfortable. So, without further due, let me present you with the songs.
1) The Wolves Die Young - many already know this song because it was the first single. Here, the band begins with lots of energy, the melody starts loud and cheerful, a mixture of Winterheart's Guild style with The Days of Grays approach, very keyboard driven at first. Then things get intense with the chorus, the high point of the song. The guitar work is decent and fast, but the solo could have been extended a bit. The chorus dominates the second half of the song, making it very enchanting, as you were listening to a Reckoning Night song. This song earns an A.
2) Running Lights - this one starts fast and cheerful as well. The vocals at first are haunting and enticing, complementing the fast guitars and keyboards. The chorus is uplifting and quite catchy. The solo near the end is awesome. This song is more Reckoning Night oriented, it has some slight influences of Stones Grow Her Name. This one earns an A.
3) Take One Breath - this one starts in odd fashion, the harps add a special touch to this song. This is very progressive, the start is serene, then things go heavy with some harsh vocals, the transition becomes as it began with harps, then it goes on until it ends in a melodic manner. No solos in this one, it relies on ambience and mood, just like many of the songs from Unia or The Days of Grays. My favorite part is the singing at the second half, it seems as a whole different song. This earns a C.
4) Cloud Factory - one of my favorite songs from the album. It keeps itself melodic and vivid, the chorus stands out strong, creating a sense of being in a fantasy place. The keyboards are constant and decent here. The vocals are tender and a bit nostalgic, sometimes lunatic near the end of the song. The lyrics are deeply metaphorical, a bit sad and dark that contrast with the melody, typical from this band. There is a mixture of Stones Grow Her Name with some influences of Reckoning Night in this one. This great song earns an A.
5) Blood - the beginning of this one is neat, it starts in some horror-like fashion. The vocals at the start are chilling and sinister, as if being sarcastic. This song is heavy and harsh, the awesome part is at the middle section, when the vocals turn uplifting and catchy, the speed picks up there for a while, joined then by a good solo. After that intensity, the song returns back at being mid-paced, to end in a chilling mood. This sounds like Reckoning Night with minor influences of Unia. This one earns a B.
6) What Did You Do In The War, Dad? - this is my absolute favorite song from the album. It is mid-paced. The beginning is haunting and sad with the music box melody, then it turns a bit aggressive and melancholic with the keyboards. I love how the singer changes his voice style as he sings the lines of the child and the father. The lyrics are really powerful and intense. This one has Unia written all over it in terms of mood. This one earns an A.
7) Half A Marathon Man - this one starts odd as well, then it transitions into hard rock, staying that way until the end which returns to that western-movie melody. The lyrics are very different from the entire album, but it keeps attitude that fits the sound. The solo is neat. The band went back to their Tricky Beans beginnings with this song, it has Stones Grow Her Name influence on it. I give this song a B.
8) X Marks The Spot - this is the band's hilarious song, a bit like Cinderblox. This one keeps the Power Metal style, not too much experimentation. The chorus is quite catchy. The solo is short and sweet. I love how the singer has fun with his voice in this song. The lyrics are weird, but they fit the mood perfectly. This one earns an A.
9) Love - every SA album must have a ballad, and this is it. I think that for the first time the singer actually writes and performs a song that is actually 100% romantic, no tragedies and no sadness involved. The song flows decently, it has a mid-paced melody after the middle section, then it ends gently. This one earns an A.
10) Larger Than Life - finally, we have their epic song. Although not as great as Deathaura, White Pearl, Black Oceans..., and The Power of One, it is still good. It starts with a theatric mood, the singing at first is crystal clear and beautiful, then it changes to an evil melody, also kind of theatric. Things become mid-paced and a bit fast as the chorus comes by, but it doesn't last that much when it keeps the mid-paced ambient sound, switching at times to soft melody, where the vocals are great. Near the end, some attitude returns, it is the cue for the soft ending. This progressive song earns a B.
In the end, this album earns 3.50, which as an A. This album is for those who truly support the band or that have a liking for Power-Progressive Metal. Many still wait for a return to Ecliptica and Silence, but I think that will not occur, as I think that will take away the band's momentum for exploration and evolution. I had to listen to this album a few times to appreciate it and feel the emotions expressed in each lyric and melody, but it was worth it - it reminds me of Unia in those terms. I recommend this album, and I hope you enjoy it. Thanks for reading my review, take care!
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