Beautifully Heavy
When Sikth disappeared from the heavy music scene over ten years ago it was a real shame. They were a band ahead of their time, surrounded by the Nu Metal monster that had taken over everything, they brought a similar kind of fun and groove but with such an alleviated technical prowess it was bizarre that they didn’t explode far more than they did. Despite their notable absence over the years, the cult of Sikth grew and grew and they’ve ended up influencing a huge number of acts. They’ve returned, and are bigger than when they departed around 2006. Reports from their live shows since their incredible comeback at Download a few years ago have been nothing but positive. They’ve not overdone it, playing sporadically and keeping the hype and interest there, but what everyone has really been waiting for is new Sikth material. It’s been nearly ten years, but here we now sit with the Opacities EP blaring out of our speakers and wow have they delivered.
Opacities is only six tracks long, well five and one random (and creepy) skit, but it’s likely going to be atop many of the ‘ole end of year lists this month. In a year which has been a little sparse when it comes to truly memorable releases, Sikth have fully delivered one. It’s weird to think this kind of concern would even exist, but when it’s been so long and there is as much anticipation as there was surrounding the Opacities release there is always that niggling doubt in the back of your mind that the new stuff isn’t quite going to be able to compete with what they’ve done in the past. Well, you’ll be one minute into the opening track Behind The Doors and your maniacal smile will say a lot in diminishing these doubts.
They are the experts, innovators to many, of bringing ridiculously crushing heaviness and soaring soundscapes into one beautiful mix. Both Mikee Goodman and Justin Hill bounce off each other as good as they ever have atop eclectic sections of crushing Metal, Jazz infused riffs and all round Prog greatness. The tracks Philistine Philosophies and Walking Shadows in particular are verging on complete perfection.
Overall than, Sikth are back, and WOW are they back. Opacities contains all of the brilliance we were treated to in the first wave, adding a freshness and aggression which so many bands in the scene lack at the moment. Sikth inspired an incredible influx of bands, but with Opacities they’ve proven once again that they are the masters. Six incredibly talented musicians, six incredible tracks. Say no more.