Atmospheric Ukrainian based five-piece Sleep In Heads will release their six-song album On The Air March 1. The uniquely progressive metal is led by ear-caressing vocalist Sonya. The band’s moniker comes from her name, roughly translated from Ukranian/Russian to ‘sleepyhead.’
Comprised of Sonya Sleepyhead (vocals), Serj Thorzhevskyi (guitars), Natali Dzizinska (violin), Fann Manerny (bass) and Roman (drums), they deliver a sound merging Opeth, The Gathering, Katatonia, Anekdoten, Anathema and The Pineapple Thief.
On The Air delivers prog power, Celtic charm and atmospheric affluence with plenty of surrounding, overlaying vocal aura. Songs measure Opeth length, with “Pacifiying” opening at seven minutes. Though they don’t feel long, as listeners get lost in the delivery and Sonya’s vocals being like the air we breathe, needed for survival.
“Pacifying” opens with a message of self-peace and inner harmony with acoustic intro, tranquil in atmosphere with somber guitars, almost like a musical aquarium. Guitars get meaner with Celtic progressive waves, voice like echoes in thick rapids, crushing into riff-like rocks. The end comes with peaceful passage, downstream with peaceful strings.
A “Vagrant” soul wanders the streets, lost in thought without destination. Guitars pick up the heaviness and drama as prog riffs pound out like a fist in a revolving sea of atmosphere. Guitars eat up the scenery, like dominating predators. Sonya’s voice flows over, surveying everything.
Shortest tune “Deceiver” answers what The Cranberries with Iron Maiden could sound like with sullen strings, guitar riffs and heavy delivery playing bombastic and emotional on multi-levels. Sonya’s voice is lyrical and mist like reminiscent of Monika Pedersen era Sirenia showing the soft hissing power behind vicious, damaging words delivered like clouds.
“Time like the Sand” tells stories of great empires built on power and greed, reduced to ruins over the centuries. With hints of Egyptian rhythm, guitars build up history as vocals narrate lyrical time. Bass, drums and guitars provide the hypnotic groove with prog-like keys.
“Blue Fear” starts busy, splitting time behind heavy, strong grooves and atmospheric aura as human souls are sucked into a whirlpool of tunnel vision. “Secret Shelter” breathes out childlike feelings of mystery and adventure as subtle melodic chords strum out illusionary escapism to a made up utopia.
On The Air is a strong debut that took three years to make and the quality and time spent shows.
Find out more at Noizr.com
Photo Credit: Galyna Dobrydina
