That encounter was around 5 years ago, and "The Future In Whose Eyes?" is the first new release of SikTh in 11 years (with a 4 year long break up as the main reason for the wait), which really does not leave me with any real expectations. I have listened to the band's first two albums now, and they are some great aggressive djent metal, but I also know that you simply cannot expect a similar result after such a long wait, and even a change in personnel.
And while the sound is not all too far off the previous efforts, "The Future In Whose Eyes?" feels a little more safe in its approach, not as heavy hitting. We do get some neat odd time signatures here and there, but it is all under control, never going fully off the rails.Now, I am not saying that this album does not have crazy moments, it does, but they are fairly few, and they do not stand out all that much too, except maybe "Ride The Illusion" where Mikee really gets his mental on.
But there is no question that this album do contains quality to it, because I think it has a consistency that is quite impressive. All of the songs feel like they belong together, all being groovy and technical, almost quirky in some way too. The groove that this band presents is really intoxicating when done right, and it does not get groovier than in "Riddles of Humanity", where both vocalists (Mikee and newcomer Joe Rosser) go back and forth, creating a rhythm that swayes wildly back and forth.
The rest of the band does a great job too in making this album as good as possible. Graham Pinney and Dan Weller produces a good amount of cool riffs here and there, James Leach goes really hard on his bass, and Dan Foordis just what you are looking for as a drummer in a math metal band, technical as hell. I think it is a good thing that they have taken their time to make this album ever since reforming the band, just to get up to speed with each other and rebuilding that chemistry. The wait was certainly worth while.
I think a lot of fans of SikTh will be very pleased with "The Future In Whose Eyes?", because even if it is not the most stand out album out there (maybe even the "worst" SikTh album thus far?), it still has enough goodness to go around for everyone. The album flows really well from one song to another, even with three spoken word parts that I do not truly understand their purpose in all of this. It is a pretty cool album that digs its own path, looking towards the future with hope in its eyes. Let us hope that the next SikTh album do not arrive in 2028, but instead a little sooner.
Songs worthy of recognition: Riddles of Humanity, Vivid, No Wishbones
Rating: 7/10 Cracks of Light
www.sikth.band/
twitter.com/SikthOfficial
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