Stargazer Scholar
Let’s face it, genre debates have become as much a staple of Heavy Metal culture as battle vests and band t-shirts. Is it Thrash or Death? Is this record more Technical than it is Brutal? And if it happens to be Black, is it more Melodic or Atmospheric? Oh, and most importantly—ubiquitously, inescapably—tell me: is it, by chance, Prog?
“Yes! Yes, it is!” screamed the promo sheet for the sophomore record by the U.S. act Sleepless. “It’s Prog mixed with Trad Metal, and you’ll love it if you enjoy Fates Warning and Nevermore!” the digital leaflet assured. Enthused, as I do enjoy the aforementioned acts immensely, I rushed to the linked Bandcamp page and, to my astonishment, found no mention of Prog whatsoever. “Doomy, heavy, and melodic”, intoned the info section, and I grew wary. What kind of Trad Metal album could be so diverse as to inspire such discrepancies? So, Sleepless, what are you?
Allow me to address the elephant in the room: no, I don’t think it’s Prog. Sleepless plays a curious blend of Traditional Heavy and Epic Doom Metal. The latter element of their sound recalls the Robert Lowe era of Candlemass, in no small part due to the charismatic voice of multi-talented singer, guitarist, and keyboardist Kevin Hahn, who moves deftly between grave, stately chants and groovier, raspier, more energetic passages. Add to that the tasteful insertion of Thrashy passages and a touch of Southern grit in the vein of Corrosion of Conformity, and you have the essence of Sleepless. There are no odd time signatures that might have justified the Prog label, nor the sprawling, adventurous compositions we associate with the genre. However, the mix of styles that Sleepless brings on Through Endless Black keeps the album engaging throughout, which is more than can be said for many of its peers. The music is solemn and dark without taking itself too seriously, allowing it to rock out on occasion, and the band’s attitude and passion are irresistible.
There is, however, a conspicuous shortcoming in the songwriting. The band leans heavily on abrupt transitions between faster and doomier sections, and while this formula often works, I couldn’t escape the feeling that some verses and choruses felt interchangeable. This paradox could likely be solved by giving the band’s proggier leanings free rein, combining some of the more uniform pieces into a longer track that would allow ideas to fully develop without losing impact through repetition. Even so, standout cuts like the brilliant, speedy “Cult of the Narcissist”, the hard-rocking “Lessons in Tongues”, and the multi-part mini-epic “Lost Star” show what Sleepless is truly capable of—balancing development with evolution.
The production is serviceable but falls short of perfect. The rhythm guitar lacks the desired power and crunch, and the drums feel timid, leaving an impression of unfulfilled potential. Even so, the mix doesn’t detract from the experience, with keyboards and bass maintaining a comfortable presence.
Overall, the record is undeniably strong. If you’re into Traditional Doom and Heavy Metal, I heartily recommend Through Endless Black—a true highlight of its genre that could have been even greater with more refined songwriting choices and a more organic production. For my part, I hope the promo leaflet proves prophetic and that the musicians indeed resolve their genre debate. Their love for dynamics and eclecticism suggests great potential for future musical storytelling.
Label: Necromantic Press Records / Metal Warrior Records
Release date: 31 October, 2024
Website: https://sleeplessmetal.bandcamp.com
Country: USA
Score: 3.5/5.0 (three and a half stars that are warm and fuzzy)
Metal Eclipse Reviews 