Musical Style: Progressive Metal	Produced By: Sombre Holiday
Record Label: Independent	Country Of Origin: USA & Canada
Year Released: 2023	Artist Website: Sombre Holiday
Tracks: 12	Rating: 90%
Running Time:

Sombre Holiday takes the dark and melancholic sounds to Gothic rock and doom-metal and combines them with an intricate progressive foundation.  When further factoring the group’s emphasis on the richly melodic and traditional metal heaviness - not to mention its inventive use of classical instrumentation - the picture is complete.  Imagine the somber moodiness to Saviour Machine, orchestral overtures of Veni Domine and mid-period Deliverance technical subtleties rolled into one.

A multinational project of brothers Terry (lead vocals, guitars, keyboards & songwriting) and Trevor (drums, lyrics and artwork) Friesen from Canada and California, respectively, Sombre Holiday carries over the musical leanings of its first five albums to its November 3, 2023 sixth The Soul’s Blood.  Similar to its predecessors, The Soul’s Blood is also concept related.

First two albums In Search Of Understanding (2009) and Four Shadows (2012) based around the Book of Proverbs and third An Hour Of Light (2014) grace during weakness and crying out to God in times of trouble.  Fourth The Sea Of Distance (2017) centered on our struggles in relationships with God and the people in our lives and fifth The Failed Sun (2020) the potential power of restoration in those relationships.

The Soul’s Blood deals with prayer and are ability or inability to connect with God.  As referenced in the groups press material: ‘The music and words (to The Soul’s Blood) invite the listener into deep reflection on the state of relationship with our Creator- a God who has fashioned each human being with a longing in the soul that only He can fill.   Our soul comes alive the more intimately we connect with our Creator.  The Soul’s Blood thematically dives in deep to what we need the most’.   More specifically, ‘The Soul’s Blood is an introspective metal journey with times of pondering, and times of frantic wrestling- bringing the listener to an assuring conclusion where confidence and strength can be found in fully surrendering to our Creator.  Our soul is truly alive when we are in step with the One who made us.’

Seven and half minute opener “Between Clouds And Dust” is a signature Sombre Holiday epic.  The song slowly drifts its instrumental first minute and half in atmospheric fashion, sustaining the contemplative distinctions moving ahead to acoustic guitar and haunting keyboards.  The extended instrumental run to start at the three minute mark gradually builds from snarling guitars and bluesy leads to portent metal overtures (noting Trevor’s double kick drum) that give way to the every bit chillingly done closing minutes.

Also of progressive form but at six minutes, “The Tower” ups initiative to an up-tempo form with lively guitar manifestations blended with tranquil piano as the low-end match a catchy groove based statement, albeit time signatures reveal in the form of quieter passages emanating of distant guitar.  Instrumentally, rhythm guitar again powers to the forefront to make a doom-like statement in aligning with Terry’s adept lead guitar.  Lyric snippet:

As the wind rolls on
Flying among fallen trees
And weathervane rust
When your in that world, I guess
There’s a real difference
Between clouds and dust

As in a dream
You are now here with me
To help me see
Not everything has changed
Not everyone is gone

“The Still Hour” impresses as a Gothic semi-ballad.  It mirrors a solemn semblance, opening to flowing water mixed with acoustic guitar, piano and orchestration but underpinned by an open bass line to expand further the encompassing melody.  Interestingly, over the final two minutes guitars abruptly power ahead to make an aggressive statement.  Of equal note, is how Terry shines with his signatures deep and moody lower register vocal sentiments.

“The God Who Is Hidden” joins equally the laid back and reserved with the unequivocally powerful.  Song proves gradual and moody - the Sombre Holiday doom instincts come into play - with an extended keyboard intro soon joined by an impactful low end to decorate the somber as it gets verse sections.  Rhythm guitar provides the foundation for the every bit swarthy refrain.  Time signature over the final minute and half as a contemplative direction is taken.  Lyric snippet:

When it was day I wished for the night
When it was night I wished for the day

The agony of prayer
The agony of prayerlessness
I can never be the master…
I can never gain control
Not only am I saved by grace-
Must I live by it as well?
Must I live by grace in prayer?

“Still Remains” represents one of albums calmest and most stilly done.  It projects of the ballad like, mournful and desolate with its subtle use of acoustic guitar and piano but also heightened at moments notice for periodic outbursts of feedback and resolute rhythm guitar.  Halfway in and things settle to a near standstill for a gentle passage layered with vocal melodies and added acoustic guitar.

The Sombre Holiday progressive side further reveals on “Consumed By Thirst”.  Time signatures galore define the intricate landscape, ranging from the piano and flowing water to start to abruptly picking up in straight on metal fashion (with added double kick drum) to smoothly flowing passages with a jazzy disposition (as symphonic keyboards play a decorative role).  At just under five minutes, this one proves you can be progressive without going the epic route.  Lyric snippet:

And now
My prayer is not toward a god of heaven
My prayer is not to a god far off
My prayer is toward the God
Who is closer to me than I am aware
Who is closer to me than my deepest care
My God,
I thirst to find you there

“The Deep Flood” divides into two parts.  First projects of a ballad with its sweeping feel as tranquil guitar melodies, grand piano and orchestration lead the way, while second elevates impetus as doom-ish guitars crush in to make an added sober statement with piano continuing to play an emotional role alongside distant viola.  “The Deep Flood” returns to a graceful form over its final minute.

“Stay Awake” begins distantly to open air guitar ahead of turning into a metal slugfest.  It heightens to upbeat territory at once, as walls of imposing guitars lend to the dense scene in almost mirroring a power metal bent, albeit force mollifies on soothing occasion when keyboards play an accenting role.  This is another cut in which Terry exhibits his blistering lead guitar.  Lyric snippet:

In You I place my trust
In You I place my fears
Let me walk through the river of dust
Overflowing with sinners’ tears

Stay awake and watch
Not my will, but Yours be done

I lift my arms, and
Into Your arms Lift
My soul, my life, my children, my wife

“Red Turned Funereal Brown” maintains the heaviness but within an added melodic confines.  Guitars remain prominent, front to back harmonies touch upon the mesmerizing, while impetus rates with albums most energetic, the high-speed proclivity further elevates the forthright melody.  Viola lends to the histrionic landscape that is the mid-point instrumental run.

“Cultivating Silence” proves deeply reserved but intricate at the same time.  Acoustic guitar gets things going prior to pace picking up a minute in to piano and reserved bass, with the somber and swarthy reflections pointing to the Sombre Holiday Gothic side.  Yet, the song gradually builds force as bluesy soloing and rhythm guitar expand to a more prominent position as a chillingly done metal edge emerges at the forefront.  Final minute ends the way things begin acoustically.  Lyric snippet:

Content
To hear no human voices
To be free from the dust storm
The need for something
More than solitude
More than perfect time
To be alone

Somehow to find solitude
In the midst of the multitude
To catch up with You
I need to slow down
-Goodspeed-

Albums second epic to exceed seven minutes, “Ending At The Falls” also breaks down into two parts.  First assails the first four and half minutes, storming with snarling guitars, flailing bass and exuberant drums combining for a besetting statement with instrumental moments home to blustering guitar leads.  Second brings a contrasting time change to a crawl in which acoustic guitar, piano and classical instrumentation cover the final three and half minutes to speak of the richly woven.  Layered vocal melodies interweave with the front to back luxurious melody.

The easygoing mentality carries over to closer “Heaven’s Door”, a mournfully plodding piece adrift its six and half minutes to regal keyboards and bluesy guitars to reveal downtrodden signatures.  After two and half minutes, rhythm guitar fades in and gradually expands its role to lend a heavier rocking element to the swarthy scene.  Dark, foreboding and progressive but not forsaking melody, “Heaven’s Door” embodies all things that help make The Soul’s Blood a success.  Lyric snippet:

You are the God who is hidden
For Your glory cannot be refused
Clouds have hidden your face
Because You want me to Want You
For You – You want to be pursued

So, You are hiding…
Somewhere between clouds and dust
You are waiting –
Somewhere between faith and trust

Sixth Sombre Holiday album The Soul’s Blood carries over the musical direction and quality to its predecessors.  Also maintained is the groups focus on intricately woven detail within darker if not stark settings while remaining true to the song.  Yes, the Sombre Holiday material is progressive but not to fault in light of the melodic underpinning to each of the albums twelve cuts.  Of equal note is manner in which Terry and Trevor Friesen maintain high levels of performs in terms of guitars, vocals and timekeeping.  If a fan of previous Sombre Holiday albums or the styles presented, then The Soul’s Blood is highly recommended.
 
Review by Andrew Rockwell

Track Listing: “Between Clouds And Dust” (7:29), “The Tower” (6:04), “The Still Hour” (5:25), “The God Who Is Hidden” (6:06), “Still Remains” (3:50),, “Consumed By Thirst” (4:57), “The Deep Flood” (5:20), “Stay Awake” (6:30), “Red Turned Funereal Brown” (4:29), “Cultivating Silence” (5:41), “Ending At The Falls” (8:00), “Heaven’s Door” (6:28)

Musicians
Terry Friesen - Lead Vocals, Guitars, Bass & Keyboards
Trevor Friesen - Drums