Introducing: Skies Turn Black

British band Skies Turn Black aim to please our ears with “power metal bangers” led by powerful vocals, infectious melodies, intricate guitar solos and, in what we’re pretty sure is a GigRadar first, a keytar.

The quintet of Jamie Jordan (vocals and guitar), Xander Isles (vocals and keytar), George Turner (guitars), Danny Woodhead (bass) and Rob Halliday (drums) hail from across the north of England, with members from Huddersfield, Burnley, Wakefield, Liverpool and Durham.

Our first introduction to the band was their July single The Skies Are Falling Down, which was the first with Xander on board “shredding that keytar.” And on the unusual move of utilising a keytar, the band told us: “We are really proud to have Xander shredding that keytar. He’s dabbled in all sorts from Accordion to even being a church organist but the keytar really just suits him best. We originally had him with a full-size keyboard at shows but we couldn’t keep those relentless dance moves trapped behind a keyboard stand so the keytar freed him. He’s done a lot for us to shape our sound and how we approach songwriting. Not only from having the ability to use synths as hooks in songs but what he brings vocally has really diversified the harmonies we can produce live.”

The track opens up with big piercing guitar and keytar solos, which drop into Jamie’s engaging opening vocals. That feeds into a big chorus “All the skies are falling down, Watch the cities burning to the ground, The skies are falling down, Left with no way out, Only God can save us now.” It flows straight into an energetic second verse and a second chorus gives way to another dual guitar/keytar solo. The guitars then give way to leave the keytar taking centre stage, before the lead guitar assumes control with an answering solo. And that sets up an epic final blast of the chorus with huge falsetto vocals adding to the atmosphere.

On the track, the band told us: “It was sending that demo out that got us the Bloodstock show so the reception has been awesome! Releasing SAFD has almost felt like a rite of passage for us. This is what Skies Turn Black looks like emerged from the pandemic and the lockdowns. It’s a tune that we felt really represents us, and feels quite emotional as the song is about what almost ended the band. So we celebrate avoiding our demise with a power metal banger. Big chorus, catchy riffs and solos from guitar and keytar. What’s not to love?” Check out this huge track in the video here:

That single’s since been followed by new single Sweet, Sweet Solitude, which was released last month. It opens up with loe vocals “We’ll die alone in sweet, sweet solitude,” which gives way to a quick keytar section before a laid-back verse. Heavier instrumentals creep in as the vocals build towards a catchy chorus supported by chunky riffs and choral backing vocals. A second chorus drops into a light piano lick and building atmospheric instrumentals, before going super electronic with a pulsing synthy section. This track epitomises the fun nature of the Skies Turn Black sound, and we love it. Check it out in the video here:

However, there’s also a darker edge to the band highlighted in their previous single The Silence, which was released back in 2020 before the keytar was onboarded and you can check out here:

Skies Turn Black’s members bring eclectic music tastes to the table, from the likes of Dragonforce and Beast In Black to Avenged Sevenfold and Bullet For My Valentine. As a result, they tell us they “don’t necessarily feel we fit into the exact blueprint of what a power metal band is expected to be.”

And on what inspires them to write music, they explain: “Themes and topics for our music really is a bit of a personal journey in all honesty, and we have written songs about a lot of different things that have affected each of us. As much as we do want to portray a live show that is fun, you still get songs that are completely genuine from us. This can be like with The Skies Are Falling Down about concerns moving into our new era of the band, or Sweet, Sweet Solitude about how we felt so disengaged from the outside world throughout lockdown. I mean, even if you go back to the album that has an array of topics from being homesick to having really great kinky sex.”

There’s plenty more to come from Skies Turn Black, who are in the process of recording an album and hope to have everything ready to release it in the new year. They’ll also have a run of gigs through November so keep your eyes peeled for those.

You can follow Skies Turn Black on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, and check out their music on Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube.