Silent Skies, the cinematic project of Evergrey’s Tom S. Englund and acclaimed US-based pianist/composer Vikram Shankar (Redemption, Lux Terminus), have just released the first of many official videos, ‘Construct’, cut from their dream-like third studio album, Dormant, out September 1, 2023 via Napalm Records.
The album’s shimmering opening track ‘Construct‘ calls for the listener to join the two musicians on a soulful journey, characterized by expansive atmospheres, iridescent textures, and contemplative lyrical introspection. From the very first note, listeners will get caught by the distinctive voice of Tom S. Englund, glimmering in yearning nuances and emotions spanning the gamut from despair to hope. Bonded with the instrumental majesty of Vikram Shankar, this is a maelstrom in which one will relish getting lost. Silent Skies present ‘Construct‘ together with an artistic and stately film, directed by American director Paul Moore and filmed by Moore and Patric Ullaeus, that beautifully and sincerely portrays that which really matters – just as Silent Skies does with their music.
Silent Skies add:
“We are thrilled to present ‘Construct’, the first offering from our new album Dormant. ‘Construct’ is an encapsulation of the ethos that informed the creative process for this new record. Musically it explores textures and soundscapes that are new additions to our sonic universe, but the reflective melancholy that defines what we do is still very much present. The conceptual theme for Dormant has been ‘conversations with life, about life,’ and in ‘Construct’, you will hear the first part of this conversation. We hope it provokes conversations within yourselves in turn.”
Continuing on the atmospheric path of Scandinavian melancholy charted on their previous full-lengths, Nectar (2022) and Satellites (2020), Dormant, the new brainchild of Englund and Shankar, features stunning piano melodies, atmospheric keyboards, lush and expansive soundscapes, and hauntingly beautiful and intense vocals.
Silent Skies’ third offering is melancholic and calming, yet effervescent and incandescent, expanding the duo’s sonic universe in every direction – it is the result of brave sonic experimentation married to the tastefully artistic aesthetic that defines the group. Throughout the varied peaks and valleys of their compositions, it is their powers of expression, and reflection on the human experience – in their own words, “conversations with life, about life” – that give their music the power to speak to a vast array of lived experiences, and reach people with diverse tastes, as long as they are interested in appreciating art as a reflection of life itself.
Silent Skies on Dormant:
“We are thrilled to present Dormant, our third record, crafted with immense joy and offered with satisfaction and eagerness to share our heartfelt dedication over the past 18 months. With Dormant, Silent Skies propels itself further into more uncharted territory, embarking on a journey whose destination remains unknown even to us. Like passengers on a train, we embrace the excitement and exhilaration of the ride, relishing in the uncertainty of our future direction. The freedom of creativity is a vital source of energy for us during the composition and production journey for our music. Within Dormant, you will find a multitude of intricate details, a plethora of musical landscapes, and an abundance of concepts, all waiting for you to dive in and explore their depths. At its core, Dormant delves into the awakening of a sleeping or forgotten consciousness, urging it to be present and take action in the now.
It is an album that, from the early stages, felt like a profound conversation with life, about life. It encapsulates the ongoing dialogue and introspection with our inner selves as we seek equilibrium and harmony. Ultimately, it is a realization that what we yearn for is a stillness of the mind and soul — a sense of contentment, pride, and connection with what is our most authentic selves. We believe that you will find resonance with many of the reflections we share within Dormant, and we eagerly anticipate continuing this dialogue with all of you.
This journey has only just begun. Let’s awaken together.
Tom & Vikram”
“Dormant” tracklisting:
Construct
New Life
Churches
Just Above The Clouds
Reset
Tides
The Real Me
Light Up The Dark
Dormant
The Last On Earth
The Trooper (Bonus Track) (visualizer video)
Dancing In The Dark (Bonus Track)
Numb (Bonus Track)
The opening track ‘Construct’ calls for the listener to join the two musicians on a soulful journey, building the atmosphere to a sublime conclusion, before continuing along a darker, brooding and intense path in the yearning ‘New Life’. Englund’s heartfelt vocals speak directly to the soul, while balancing perfectly with Shankar’s thoughtful instrumentation, driven by tender piano and elevated by an engulfing production. The harmonious ‘Churches’ and pop-inflected ‘Just Above The Clouds’ – the latter featuring a compelling solo from Leprous/Musk Ox cellist Raphael Weinroth-Browne – build up to a mesmerizing daydream, leaving the listener lost in the wonderful nuances that Dormant has to offer.
The calming and profoundly introspective ‘Reset’ and ‘Tides’ envelop the listener in seemingly endless melancholic soundscapes, whereas the poignant ‘The Real Me’ is imbibed with electronic hues that yield a brighter, more modern atmosphere. Throughout these tracks, Silent Skies’ work is characterized by deep and thoughtful expansion of their signature sound, where analog synthesizers, intricate programming, meticulously constructed soundscapes, and stately piano melodies are paired with the introspective vocals of Englund, who delivers profound lyrical sentiments with thoughtfully expressive character. The deeply moving ‘Light Up The Dark’ and the serene atmosphere of the title track ‘Dormant’ are followed by the glimmering hues of ‘The Last On Earth’, the last original composition on Dormant, in which modular synth loops and moody piano reflections are paired with chiming guitars that encapsulate the duo’s commitment to the development of their sound.
Dormant will be available in the following formats:
1CD Digisleeve
2LP Gatefold BLACK
Digital Album
Pre-order Dormant HERE:
Silent Skies are:
Tom S. Englund – Vocals, Production
Vikram Shankar – Piano, Keyboards, Production
Silent Skies online:
HOMEPAGE
FACEBOOK
INSTAGRAM
NAPALM RECORDS