Much-loved UK female fronted modern metal quartet Skarlett Riot return with their brand new album "Caelestia" on October 25th, 2024.With the release of their new album, 'Caelestia', UK-based alt-metal quartet Skarlett Riot feel their stars have aligned, literally, this time! A band that has always put 100% into every release thus far, 'Caelestia' is, in the band’s own words, ‘the best Skarlett Riot release yet’. It’s an album that the band have worked hard on for many months. Bouncing back and forth on studio dates, working up a few songs at a time.
Which also gave the band time to be super critical and rework songs where they needed to. ‘Skarlett Riot's sound is created by just 4 people infusing our influences and ideas together to create something we personally connect and relate to’ singer Skarlett states, clearly very proud of what she and the band have come up with , featuring brothers Luke (drums) and Danny Oglesby (guitars/screams) and bassist Tim Chambers. The band have consistently sought to develop, expand and grow their sound. Built around Skarlett’s always spectacular voice, the band add harsh vocals to add some aggressive colour to their palette, in amongst the tight rhythms and powerful guitar work.
The album is called 'Caelestia' (Latin for ‘Celestial’) and features artwork (by longtimeSR artcollaborator Christiane Gilbrook) that emphasises the band’s connection, not just in their music, but also personally. ‘If you look closely at the album artwork’ Skarlett offers, ‘you'll see four constellations which represent our individual zodiac signs’. It’s an attention to detail that the band has cast over everything surrounding the album. From the way the songs were written, to the production and the way the band will present it to the world.
Guitarist Danny is ordinarily the main song writer, and he has contributed the bulk of the songs on ‘Caelestia’, although singer Skarlett has added some of the more personal songs this time around. Her lyrics reflecting a lot of upheaval in recent times, especially in her personal life. All of which has added some extra bite to the tracks featured on the album. With several singles already garnering great support at radio and across YouTube and social media, the foundations for this release have been laid. Tours with the likes of Esoterica, and several sold out headline shows have primed the band’s fanbase for the new record. ‘We've been working hard on this for a while now, Skarlett adds, ‘we are so excited to introduce our new album 'Caelestia' into the world!’
The band recorded their new album at Treehouse studios (Bullet For My Valentine, While She Sleeps, Fightstar). The album ‘Caelestia’ is released worldwide onOctober 25th. and is available on CD, LP, digital download and streaming.
Lineup:
Skarlett - Lead Vocals/Guitars
Danny - Guitars/Backing Vocals
Tim - Bass/Backing Vocals
Luke - Drums
Order the album here: https://despotz.bigcartel.com/artist/skarlett-riot
Time now for the actual review and we start with one of the single’s: Chemicals . The song is one of the strongest, heaviest and most brutal song ever done by this band. The male scream and grunts are clearly in the game. It took me a while before I actually started to like this song, but it’s also nice to hear that this band is still changing and trying out new things. Lyric wise it’s the follow up to previous songs where she sang about her health problems. Sound wise this song gets close to Evig Natt (seen them both in the past on the same stage).
Spiralling: hammering drums and rambling guitars, a speeded up tempo and Skarlett in the best shape ever. Do you need more? Nah!
Lullaby starts softly, just like the title suggests, but suddenly explodes and changes into a melancholic blues/hard rock track. I adore the softer parts within this track.
Run is a hard hitter with on top Skarlette excellent vocals.
Hold Tight starts slowly and explodes (hmm, wrote that already before). Once again it mixes hard and heavy hitting with softer and more angelic minded parts.
Limits sounds like a classic Skarlett Riot song with on top more male vocals. Towards the end we get a more aggressive approach.
Who Do You Think You Are gets us into a more melancholic drive mixed with angelic sounding vocals. Some parts remain aggressive.
Shatter, Violence and Luminate: all 3 great songs, but it’s no use repeating myself time after time.
I think I miss a hit on this album and knowing this band since the early years I have a feeling they reached their top. I hear some newer sounds but globally they found their own sound. The lesser good thing is that reviewing this album has become a bit harder as I tend to repeat myself time after time. Already with the last track that got launched in August I was doubting I would review the album. I did it and regret it a bit. At least they are still on fire on stage and are worth seeing in action!
