You only need to glance at the fibre of metal in the last few years to see just how important Sikth were, and just how much they were missed during their absence. Almost singly responsible for the plethora of djent and Tech Metal bands in recent times; Sikth’s frenetic and jarring yet precise mathcore onslaught has grown its very own scene, with even festivals dedicated to such styles; and a legion of imitators. If a reunion with rapturous shows and a strong EP release in Opacities (Sikth Productions) seemed to herald a glorious return, would the news of Justin Hill’s departure from their iconic vocal pairing prove at all derailing? On the evidence of latest album The Future In Whose Eyes (Millennium Night), the answer is not even remotely.
Being described by the band themselves as their most ambitious album to date is common hyperbole in album cycles, but on The Future… those claims hold real substance. Their core of mind-boggling rhythms and ever-changing dynamics are omnipresent throughout, and the album is continuously packed with ideas and tight nuances. Yet this still contains so many instantly memorable passages, hooks and, despite its density, maintains as much strong songcraft as it does technicality.
A real focus will be on the interplay between Mikee Goodman and new vocalist Joe Rosser (Hill’s replacement), and anyone who is familiar with Aliases will attest, Rosser has the perfect range and dexterity to fill Hill’s boots, and their chemistry is immediate. An appearance from Periphery’s Spencer Sotelo on ‘Cracks Of Light’ adds an extra dimension to proceedings, with his voice proving substantially cleaner and contrasting but still matching the abstract mix fluidly.
It’s hard to think that the return of one of British metal’s most evocative, unique and beloved entities could be anything other than a triumph, but our world is peppered with tales of huge returns that do nothing more than dump on legacies. But again, Sikth aren’t any ordinary band; a mantra they have been proving since day one. Not only is The Future In Whose Eyes an excellent return, but one that lives up to their previous heights, possibly even exceeding them in places, and even still shows their desire to keep on pushing forward, breaking moulds and evolving. The metal world has been put on notice once again.
8.5/10
CHRIS TIPPELL