All of the tracks on board are loaded with atmosphere and plenty of melodic firepower. There are no less than three tracks with most exquisite acoustic fingerpicking for their introduction: Devil’s Hand, Into the Light and Scarlet Angel. Their are other surprises as well. The Path is an excellent electric guitar showcase, worthy of Satchmo or Vai or Zakk! The title track features a big opening and lots of ethereal grandeur. There is also heavy riffing – lots of big guitar, and some good straight vocals with just a hair of growl to them. There are no less than two lead guitar solos also, which for me is always a sign of a good tune.
The remainder of the tracks here pretty much pounce on you right out of the gate. Charging, heavy guitars and plenty of excellent bass and drum work. The keyboards are more of a atmosphere instrument on several of the pieces here, but that is a good chunk of their job is to create the ambience, so to speak.
Sign of No Return begins life with creepy keys and then gives way to big guitar riffs and soaring vocals. You will find that this is a pattern with these guys. River and Second Son are similar in nature here; plenty of big vocals and big guitar. I can almost picture Matt with one foot on the monitor and vocalizing with the mic while riffing his brains out! The Awakening features some very melodic and powerful work from all of the members. The rhythm section is an absolutely churning hot mess here.
Forever Lost is another pretty heavy duty stomper. There might be some double bass drumming here. Kind of sounds like it.
The Ghosts of Innocence is the big one. How fitting that it is the final track. The vocal and piano interplay here is just wonderful.
If I had to say what I think of Borealis on first listen, I’d have to say two thumbs way up!
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