A self-described post-hardcore band, the five songs on Skybound’s Darkfall EP showcases some seriously shredding guitars, drums, and bass. However, along with being able to pound out the traditional elements of the heaviest of heavy metal, these guys successfully incorporate electronic and synth elements while exploring a variety of vocal styles. They are able to switch from screaming vocals to clean singing, and then back again, seemingly with ease.

 

With some obvious inspiration from early Linkin Park, the quintet, which consists of vocalist Jonno Newton, guitarists Steven Schultze and Cameron Michel, bassist Luke Shinton, and drummer Clark Fendon, generate excellent radio-ready songs with a little less popular appeal than the aforementioned band. Skybound lean a bit more on the Opeth and Lamb of God side of the metal spectrum.

 

The track “Desolate” opens with some gentle synth, a bit of drum machine, and then Newton comes in and growls a (largely unintelligible) lyric, indicating that it’s time for the guitars and bass to crank it up. The verses are growled in a similar manner, but the chorus is straight-up singing. Guitar riffs are interchanged with more synthesizer, and Fendon’s drums keep time throughout, which maintains a unity of sound similar to Linkin Park or hed(PE).

 

The growled opening, driving guitars, and urgency of “Liberation” establish Skybound’s metal credentials more firmly than the switch-ups of “Desolate.” The sung chorus and synthesizer contributions effectively maintain a consistent sound, so there is no doubt it’s a Skybound tune.

 

Possibly the most Linkin Park-ish of all the tunes, “Saints Vow” opens heavy on synth and singing, only later transitioning to screaming and guitar crunching. “The Mockery” maintains the basic beat of “Saints Vow,” but more rapidly shifts to crunch and scream.

 

The advance single “Treachery” features all the elements one can expect and enjoy from Skybound - crunchy, grinding metal guitars, growled vocals, synthesizer integration, sung chorus, and rock solid bass and drums. It’s an appropriate tune to introduce the Aussies to American audiences, that’s for sure.

 

The full and complete sound of every song, the added digital elements beyond the two guitars, drums, bass, and screams point to a mature band with not only a vast array of inspiration, but the confidence to take risks. While the comparisons to Linkin Park are there, these guys create an individual identity through the shifts, and rely on metal tropes and schema more than commercial predecessors. Skybound’s Darkfall is a genuinely enjoyable EP, unless you are unconditionally opposed to synthesizers in your metal (but who in 2015 is?), or to growled/screamed vocals (a position I understand), these five tracks will fit nicely in your collection. I give it four and a half moons.