Review by Rick Eaglestone for MPM
London three-piece Urne set their sights on supernova territory with latest album Setting Fire To The Sky which has been produced by SikTh vocalist Justin Hill.
Don’t let the gentle start to Be Not Dismayed fool you as Urne have a lit a fire that have no intention of putting out there is savagery in abundance but also a melodic touch reminiscent of Mastodon that is in instantly appealing combination – this is followed by heart racing drum patterns of Weeping To The World which also has some wonderful dual vocals to really emphasise just how much Nally’s vocals have developed
Staying with Nally’s vocals and how they have developed and matured The Spirit Alive really channels a newfound Melodic mid-range that feels like an effortless element as it translates so well on this album.
Ok, we all collectively as fans of heavy metal have to all just chefs kiss the album title track Setting Fire To The Sky as no matter what sub genre you have a preference to this has something that every one can take away an enjoy – it is fair to say that this very much feels like the lifeblood of the album as it really does stand as a musical statement – wherever riffs have come to members of the band, it could be in a band practice or it could even be in Tesco’s but right here for those 6 and a half minutes you just have to fully take in the absolute gem this album is collectively. This is then followed by The Ancient Horizon which I have to say for me is the true highlight of the album the delivery of the chorus in particular is a stroke of musical prowess and that not even mentioning just how great the solos are.
Just when you think you know where the album is heading the band casually throw in their longest section of the album starting with Towards The Harmony Hill which is certainly a track of two halves with the latter completely left field with hugely emotionally charged passages and instrumental sections that wouldn’t be out of place on any Pink Floyd album then just as you almost in dreamlike trance you absolutely pummelled with relentless drum patterns that are worked into the nine minute opus Harken The Waves who they have recruited Troy Sanders which to be honest is a huge draw and also is a demonstration of just how strong Urne’s songwriting is as even though I am massively pumped at this particular collaboration you really have to appreciate that without strong songwriting and a certain level of creative development over the course of their career this just wouldn’t work – it’s a huge undertaking that delivers dividends each time you listen to it
“It’s not like one of these [normal] features,” says Nally of Sanders’ involvement. “It’s not a chorus or anything. If we’re going to get someone on, we use that person to the best of their ability. And that’s what I think we did on that. And I was just like, let’s just fucking do it. Like we’ve done it all on our own terms so far.”
The last track was also of particular interest as I’ve been in the fortunate position of seeing Jo Quail in a intimate venue when the audience were so silent and captivated you could literally hear a pin drop and well, this is a great choice of closer as Breathe has waves of serenity laden with emotion throughout and their feels that a lot of effort has gone into the delicate delivery as throughout Urne have delivered some of their heaviest material to date
Urne have felt like metals best kept secret for a while, well that is absolutely not the case now.
Setting Fire To The Sky Track listing:
1. Be Not Dismayed
2. Weeping to the World
3. The Spirit, Alive
4. Setting Fire to the Sky
5. The Ancient Horizon
6. Towards the Harmony Hall
7. Harken the Waves (feat. Troy Sanders)
8. Breathe (feat. Jo Quail)
Line-up:
Joe Nally – bass, vocals
Angus Neyra – guitar
James Cook – drums
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8.5/10
