Release Date: 12 June 2026
Song Count: 6
Duration: 49 minutes, 22 seconds
Rating: 8.7/10
Description:
Song Count: 6
Duration: 49 minutes, 22 seconds
Rating: 8.7/10
Description:
Three releases incoming for this day, and while the other two may have more eyes being drawn on them, I have decided to give this one the honour of getting the same day review.
Fires in the Distance are a band from Connecticut whom I have loved the work of for quite some time now - their album from three years back, Air Not Meant For Us, is one that I honestly consider to be a masterpiece and one of my favourite albums of all time, and that is not wording that I hand out lightly. The kind of melodic death metal that they make is not only exemplary of the biggest strengths of the subgenre, but also subtly unique with the inclusion of pianos and the like that make their music sound highly graceful and artistic. This stylisation carries over through this brand new record, Circadian Promise, which contains a highly similar essence.
Not only is there a steady balance reached between the powerful riffs, masterful playing of metal instruments and growling vocals and the intricate melodies that the guitars follow, but the latter side is backed by the aforementioned signature elements like pianos and alternate sound effects - including subtle electronic ones - that enhance the full experience. It all seems brutal and brazing, yet also ethereal and beyond any grounded confines, leading to a fascinating dichotomy which reels the listener further in, similar to how one would imagine a set of theme songs for a biblically accurate angel of sorts to sound like. Even with the initial weight of it all making one feel like they are drowning in the sounds of the distorted guitars, especially with the repeated listens, each segment and track sticks out more positively for its highlights.
If there was something harsh to say about it all, it is that Circadian Promise is not quite to the level of the full-length of the band I hold the most highly - but that is a particularly tall order for a new release that has the chance to grow even further on me over time. It certainly is very reminiscent of its predecessors in style and form, and uses them just as effectively, meaning the disconnect lies solely in the familiarisation with the melodies and motifs themselves. Particularly "Once the Silence Takes Your Place" blows it out of the water and would certainly not feel out of place in the album prior, both in sound and in quality, though there are no songs that outright would anyway. This one is one to tune into for any metal fans out there for sure - Fires in the Distance really deserves far more recognition than they get.