Review by Brexaul on December 8, 2024.

Ah, Fellowship! The weird happy child that we all came to love on the first album is back with the long-awaited follow-up. I was so caught up in their addictive positivity of their debut, that I honestly was certain about the quality of things to come. I even had the joy of seeing a couple of new songs live before the album came out, so my hopes were high. And I wasn't mistaken…for the most part.

Fellowship grew and matured, both in the songwriting department and the production quality, as The Skies Above Eternity benefits from a much crisper sound that is very easy on the ear. Everything has its place in the mix and everyone performs flawlessly, a special mention to the guitar solos which are literal ear candy. Really outstanding work there. It's also much shorter than its predecessor which is a bit of a double-edged sword, but we'll circle around this a bit later.

The album kicks off with a very Fellowship-trademark happy note and 'Hold Up Your Hearts Again' sets the mood for what's to come. Bombastic, feelgood power metal, excellently performed and well thought out. It's undeniable that Fellowship has their own style (which was apparent from the first album), a style that makes them easily stand out from the gimmicky counterpart of most modern power metal bands. I can understand this sugary overflow might turn some people off, but they have many dramatic twists to keep things interesting and "heroic", like the chorus of 'The Bitter Winds'.

What's very special and impressive about their songwriting, is how seamlessly they blend power metal tropes with pop-ish music hooks, sometimes it feels like you are watching a Broadway musical. Before I move to what held me back from giving a higher score, I have to mention the fantastic lyrics of Matthew Corry, I really can't overstate how refreshing it is to see a "happy" power metal band NOT singing about stupid dragons. Deep, personal and at some points gut-wrenching, they expertly "dress" the songs with that cathartic conclusion that makes their music resonate on a whole different level.

Now for the other side of the coin:

My main issue with The Skies Above Eternity is that it ultimately feels short and very much frontloaded. Don't expect a dramatic decline in quality or anything, but both 'World End Slowly' and 'A New Hope' sound way too happy and Christmas-y for me to take seriously. After the addictive 'King Of Nothing' (which sounds like it could have been written by Battle Beast) the album ends with those two AND with a 2 minute instrumental melody to top it off.

So, while the buildup is great, the payoff feels slightly off. The debut "suffered" from exactly the opposite, as it dragged at some songs and there were slight dips in quality, but the great songs stood out and ultimately offered a much wider collection to choose from. Honestly if this was an EP that ended at track no.6, I'd easily give it 10-15% more on the score.

In any case The Skies Above Eternity is a great follow-up from one of the greatest new power metal bands of our times and I'm positive we will eventually have something monumental from Fellowship in the years to come.

Might I suggest Re-Hold up your hearts (Again)V 2.0?

Rating: 8.2 out of 10

Review by Elyna Steel on November 5, 2024.

My first take revolves around a group of five endearing guys from Essex, United Kingdom: Matthew Corry (vocals); Brad Wosko (guitar); Sam Browne (studio-only guitar); Ed Munson (bass) and Callum Tuffen (drums). They were the absolute revelation of 2022 in the realms of power metal. Beyond the innovation or evolution brought to the genre, what stands out in these guys is the positive energy, friendship, endearing affection, and sense of community that each of their chords conveys—literally. 

Added to this is the heavenly voice of its frontman, who brings out the best of Broadway and yesterday’s theatrical musicals, with a tinge of Disney movie song. It is all about light, love, energy, joy, and feelings that take you back to childhood’s innocent times. Well, I think you already know who I'm talking about; ladies and gentlemen, with you, Fellowship and their long-awaited second album The Skies Above Eternity, whose release is set for November 22nd, 2024, by Scarlets Records. It was produced by Rich Campbell at Orpheus Studio and mixed by Alexander Backlund at Fascination Street Studios. Regarding the artwork, the cover was designed by Peter Sallai, who has worked with Sabaton, Powerwolf, and Feuerschwanz. The physical format of the album will be a four-panel digipack and a limited edition vinyl. 

This second installment brings some surprises that set it apart from The Saberlight Chronicles. The overall vibe in the melodic narrative is more nostalgic and depressive. In this sense, the melody is coherent with the lyrics of eight out of nine cuts that make it up (track 9 is a moving instrumental outro). They revolve around historical dichotomies; of princes and beggars, of oppression and resistance, of slavery, and the search for freedom. The Skies Above Eternity is an ode to the journey of life, with lights and shadows. It shows our aspiration as a human race to live freely, live well, and move forward in a plane where hope and light seem to completely fade away. Perhaps, in the darkest times, we remember that the light is not outside. Not in gods nor in the stars, but inside us. We ourselves can the path before our feet and help others to ignite their own light, as Children of the Stars.

The first track is 'Hold Up Your Hearts'. Fellowship in essence - all about joy, friendship, and hope. This displays a very catchy rhythm and a jumping chorus that invites you to sing at the top of your lungs. It’s the perfect track to play when you have a meeting with your boss and you want an extra dose of good mood and hope, just in case.

In terms of composition and arrangements, the following songs have sound elements that are very familiar to me; the dreamed Galneryus sonority. You will find it in the musical structure, the moving keyboards, and the heavenly riffs and solos of 'The Bitter Wind', which is an extensive, fully drum-driven cut that includes neoclassical elements and a super melancholic and depressive vibe. Then we have the cut 'Dawnbreaker' with a polished progressive phrasing in verses, a jumping, catchy chorus, and a rhythmic base echoing Galneryus’s groove, poignant riffs, and powerful drum beats. Finally, 'Eternity' is the most “Galneryus” song on the album in terms of orchestration and structure. It's an anthem-like jump shot for the band to consider as a setlist essential for upcoming shows. 

The atmosphere turns towards more classic melodic power in the single 'Victim', totally guitar-driven and full of theatricality and nostalgia. Then, 'King Of Nothing', a fluent, classic power metal song with tinges of AOR in the keyboards. In turn, 'World End Slow' is pure Fellowship. With an easy-to-follow chorus, this track is of a radio-hit type. 'A New Hope' also gives Galneryus vibes such as the poignant rhythmic base and the bright tone of the guitars. The outro track deserves a side note. 'Memories Of The Wind' is a moving graduation song. Ok, don’t misunderstand me. Not a “graduation” like going and playing it when your kids finish university. I mean, a graduation in life. This outro, in my opinion, conveys the joy and pride of overcoming adversity and the most dramatic and terrible situations during your existence, knowing that your triumph is never having given up and having lived on your own terms, leaving your footprints to be followed. It could perfectly be one of the "7-minute" songs. 

In case you don't know, it is said that when we die we "watch our life go by" for seven minutes before leaving this plane. In those seven minutes, our brain remembers the happiest and most fulfilling moments of our existence. 'Memories Of The Wind' can be a great song for those seven minutes before leaving temporality and transcending to the plane of the Eternal.

All in all The Skies Above Eternity is an amazing album, a safe album. It's a daring album also, by incorporating elements of the Galneryus sound. A major challenge for any band due to its technical perfection, the magic of its orchestration and arrangements, and the balance that the legendary Japanese band achieves when polishing its characteristic sonority. 

However, there are a few aspects for improvement. Maybe it's the mixing process, but I noticed a lack of vocal harmonies. The first album showcased several moments of vocal harmonies that added layers of emotional depth to the whole. Since they are not so present in this second album, the feeling of disconnection, of emptiness, remains. I miss these vocal elements so please include them in future albums. Next, the keyboard work is top-notch, with wonderful moments during the development of the melodic narrative. However, the keyboard track seems to overshadow the others - the riffs go almost unnoticed at certain times, making the sound feel unbalanced, which affects the overall impact of the album. 

In power metal, the balance between guitars, vocals, bass, drums, and keyboard is crucial and really delicate. The mixing process of The Saberlight Chronicles clearly achieved that balance. The Skies Above Eternity didn't. I hope, in any case, that this mismatch is something that they can adjust in future albums and in the band's next tours because achieving that special sound that so many fans have fallen in love with translates into capturing the soul of Fellowship; peace, energy, camaraderie and community. A dream place, where everyone has a leading and important place. This also applies to the instruments, and how they synchronize with each other to give life to their magical narrative and their beautiful sound.

At the end of the day, the magic of every essential power metal band lies precisely in that; balance. And, although modern metal is infused with pop elements, the essence of power metal- the endearing music for taking your sword, and cap and riding your horse heading to the battle - emerges when each element maintains its due prominence and works in harmony with the others. 

Rating: 8 out of 10