Secrets Of The Sky/Pathway/Metal Blade Records/2015 CD Review

  Secrets  Of  The  Sky  are  a  band  from  Oakland,  California  that  has  been  featured  before  in  this  zine  and  plays  and  atmospheric  form  of  blackened  doom  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2015  album  "Pathway"  which  will  be  released  in  May  by  Metal  Blade  Records.

  Water  sounds  start  off  the  album  and  after  the  intro  clean  playing  is  added  into  the  music  along  with  some  ambient  elements  and  clean  singing  vocals  along  with  a  small  amount  of  whispers  before  adding  in  heavy  doom  metal  influenced  guitars  and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.

  A  great  portion  of  the  tracks  are  very  long  and  epic  in  length  and  also  mixes  in  black  metal  screams,  death  metal  growls  along  with  the  atmospheric  heavy  parts  being  mixed  together  and  the  songs  also  alternate  between  clean  and  heavy  parts  and  each  song  also  has  an  intro  in  between  and  there  is  also  a  great  amount  of  melody  in  the  riffs  and  when  acoustic  guitars  are  utilized  they  give  the  music  more  of  a  progressive  and  psychedelic  feeling.

  Secrets  Of  The  Sky  creates  another  album  that  combines  the  atmospheric  sides  of  black  and  doom/death  metal  together  and  also  bring  in  a  touch  of  psychedelic  and  progressive  rock  to  make  the  songs  have  more  originality,  the  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  have  a  concept  to  them  and  cover  dark  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Secrets  Of  The  Sky  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  band,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Angel  In  Vines"  "Garden  Of  Prayers"  and  "Eternal  Wolves".  8  out  of  10.  

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Godhunter/Secrets Of The Sky/Gh/ost/The Compound/Battleground/2014 Split Album Review

  This  is  a  review  of  a  split  album  between  Arizona's  Godhunter  and  California's  Secrets  Of  the  Sky  called  "Gh/ost"  which  was  released  as  a  joint  effort  between  the  Compound  and  Battleground  and  we  will  start  off  the  review  with  Godhunter  a  band  that  plays  a  very  heavy  form  of  sludge  metal.

  A  very  distorted  sound  along  with  some  spoken  word  samples  start  off  the  side  of  the  split  before  adding  in  some  heavy  bass  and  guitar  riffs  which  also  have  some  melodies  at  times  and  a  few  seconds  a  mixture  of  growls  and  rough  clean  singing  are  added  into  the  music  and  the  leads  bring  in  an  old  school  doom  metal  feeling  to  the  bands  style  of  sludge

  After  awhile  a  brief  use  of  acoustic  guitars  can  be  heard  for  a short  while  along  with  some  violins  and  the  first  song  is  6  minutes  length  on  the  second  track  clean  playing  and  female  vocals  are  added  into  the  music  along  with  some  leads  that  are  in  a  very  melodic  musical  direction  and  the  song  also  brings  in  a  great  amount  of  heaviness  and  is  over  10  minutes  long  and  after  awhile  you  can  also  hear  some  spoken  word  parts.

  Godhunter  plays  a  very  heavy  style  of  sludge  metal  on  the  first  track  that  they  are  known  for  while  the  second  song  shows  a  different  side  to  their  musical  style,  the  production  sounds  very  dark  and  heavy  while  the  lyrics  cover  dark,  haunting  and  supernatural  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Godhunter  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  sludge  metal,  you  should  check  out  their  side  of  the split.  RECOMMENDED  TRACK  "GH/OST:S".

  Next  up  is  Secrets  Of  The  Sky  a  band  that  plays a  mixture  of  black  and  doom  metal  and  have  been  featured  before  in  this  zine.

  Clean  playing  starts  off  their  side  of  the  split  bringing  in  a  progressive  feeling  and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  sound  very  powerful  and  after  a  couple  of  minutes  the  music  goes  into  more  of  a  heavy  and  melodic  doom  metal  sound  along  with  a  mixture  of  black  metal  screams  and  death  metal  growls.

  The  solos  and  leads  the  band  uses  are  very  melodic  and  the  band  also  brings  in  a  good  mixture  of  both  clean  and  heavy  parts  along  with  some  synths  and  as  their  side  of  the  split  progresses  clean  singing  finds  their  way  into  the  bands  musical  style  and  the  second  tracks  shows  the  band  getting  a  lot  more  experimental  and  progressive  while  still  having  a  heavy  edge  to  them  and  halfway  through  the  track  spoken  word  parts  are  added  in.  

  Secrets  of  the  Sky  continue  their  progressive  mixture  of  black  and  doom  metal  while  also  adding  more  melody  in  their  sound  and  they  have  also  gotten  a  lot  more  experimental  this  time  around, the  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  dark  and  haunting  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Secrets  of  the  Sky  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  band,  you  should  enjoy  their  side  of  the  split.  RECOMMENDED  TRACK  "GH/OST"S  II".

  In  conclusion  I  feel  this  is  a  very  great  sounding  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  sludge,  doom,  black  and  progressive  metal,  you  should  add  this  album  to  your  collection.  8  out  of  10.  

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Secrets Of The Sky Interview

Answering the questions: Clayton Bartholomew (Guitars, Keyboards) and Garett Gazay (Vocals)

1. Can you give us an update on what is going on with the band these days?

Clayton: We are busy writing the next record. We have five new songs basically finished. We are being selective in the local shows we accept, working on tour opportunities… most importantly, we are promoting “To Sail Black Waters”.

2. How would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the album?

Clayton: I think of “To Sail Black Waters” as almost a soundtrack. It is cinematic, cerebral, dark, moody and yet somehow not completely void of hope at the same time... I think we want to leave it to the listener to interpret it for themselves though.

3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the music?

Garett: With this record "To Sail Black Waters" the whole of my lyrical inspiration has come from the sound of the  instrumentation, and the needed expression of deep, dark depths within myself, that I feel I hadn't been able to explore truly until joining this band. (Secrets of the Sky) To sum it up there are two songs about personal transformation, (Decline, and Sunrise) one is an ode to a deeply revered Pagan deity named "Cernunnos" (Winter) and "Black Waters" is the coming to terms with personal sin, and the hell within.

4. What is the meaning and inspiration behind the bands name?

Garett: If I told you, it wouldn't be a secret now would it? Haha, let's just say you should keep a really close eye on us from here on out... There are some things better left unsaid for now. I'll give you a clue though, there have been clues left, and will continue to be left in the imagery, sounds, and lyrics of this band's future releases.

5. What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and how would you describe your stage performance?

Clayton: We have played some amazing local shows and have been lucky enough to have a good draw so far. We went down to LA and played with Saviours and Black Cobra earlier this year and that was good times.

Garett: Possession.

6. Do you have any touring plans for the new release?

Clayton: We are working on that for sure. Dates coming soon!

 7. Currently you are signed to Gravedancer Records, how did you get in contact with this label and how would you describe the support they have given you so far?

Clayton: Josh, who runs the label, got in touch with us following our feature in the “Unsigned and Unholy” column MetalSucks runs. He liked what he heard and wanted to work with us, which has been great. He has been really supportive in what we are trying to do and has opened some new doors for us... we couldn't ask for more!

8. On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of extreme Metal?

Clayton: The reviews are starting to trickle in and so far, the response has been pretty amazing. Only time will tell for sure though.

9. Are there any other musical projects besides this band or is this a full time line up?

Clayton: This is a full time line up… no real side projects to speak of.  All six of us are pretty stoked on what we are doing with Secrets.

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10. What direction do you see your music heading into on future releases?

Clayton: We are sticking to what works for us writing-wise… but I can say that the new material we have written is a bit more compact, a bit more dynamic and just as epic as anything we have worked on in the past. It is definitely a pick up from where we left off on “To Sail Black Waters” and continues the “Secrets” story... literally.

11. What are some bands or musical styles that have influenced your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

Clayton: We all listen to different stuff for sure… lots of classic rock would probably be the common thread. Personally, I am listening to Robin Trower, Jethro Tull, Baroness, Torche, Pallbearer, etc.

Garett: Yeah, I would have to say I listen to more Scandinavian Black Metal / Death than anything. Band's like Watain, Gorgoroth, Dark Throne, Amon Amarth. And I'm forever in love with Tristania (Morten Veland).

12. Outside of music what are some of your interests?

Clayton: Collecting Vinyl, getting tattooed, drinking beers, watching classic and foreign horror movies, etc. 

Garett: Aliester Crowley, The Order of the Golden Dawn Witchcraft, Poetry, Music, History, I LOVE History...

13. Any final words or thoughts before we wrap up this interview?

Clayton: Thank you for taking an interest in the band and the album… cheers!

Garett: Yes, we are very, very grateful that you've taken the time to get to know us, and our record, thank you!

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Secrets Of The Sky/To Sail Black Waters/Gravedancer Records/2013 CD Review

  Secrets  Of  The  Sky  are  a  band  from  Oakland,  California  that  plays  a  mixture  of  black,  doom,  death  and  progressive  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2013  album  "To  Sail  Black  Waters"  which  was  released  by  Gravedancer  Records.

  Drums  range  from  slow  to  mid  paced  playing  with  no  fast  drumming  or  blast  beats  being  present on  this  recording,  while  the  bass  playing  has  a  very  dark  tone  with  riffs  that  follow  the  riffing  that  are  coming  out  of  the  guitars  and  at  times  they  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them,  as  for  the  synths  when  they  are  utilized  they  bring  a  very  dark  and  atmospheric  sound  to  the  music.

  Rhythm  guitars  range  from  slow  to  mid  paced  riffs  that  combine  black,  doom,  death  and  progressive  metal  to  create  a  sound  of  their  own,  while  the  lead  guitars  are  very  dark  and  melodic  sounding  extreme  metal  guitar  solos  and  leads,  as  for  the  acoustic  guitars  they  use  finger  picking  and  full  chords  to  add  a  dark  and  progressive  sound  to  the  music.

  Vocals  range  from  high  pitched  black  metal  screams,  deep  death  metal  growls  and  whispers  with  some  male  and  female  clean  singing  being  utilized  at  times,  while  the  lyrics  cover  dark  themes,  as  for  the  production  it  has  a  very  strong,  powerful,  dark,  heavy  and  professional  sound  to  it  with  the  songs  being  long  and  epic  in  length.

  In  my  opinion  Secrets  Of  The  Sky  are  a  very  great  sounding  hybrid  of  black,  doom,  death  and  progressive  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Winter"  and  "Sunrise".  RECOMMENDED  BUY.

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