Passion, Confussion, Inner Talks, and Time in 40 Watt Sun's "Wider than the Sky"

Passion, Confusion, Inner Talks, and Time in 40 Watt Sun's "Wider than the Sky" (Full Length Album, 2016)

By: Rana Atef a.k.a ``DaRk~~KniGhT``

 

Introduction: 

After a few days of absence, Egypt's DaRk~~KniGhT is back again to reviews, and interviews. Actually, I felt that I need some time off, after few great achievements as interviewing the legendary Amorphis, and the great Silentium. 

I liked the massive supportive feedback I received from different friends and different Egyptian musicians from great bands such as Al Azif, Sinprophecy, Hate Field, Awaken Within, Ahl Sina, Crescent, Frostagrath, Mythos, Segadoras, and EX Sallos, besides the humble, warm conversations I had with the great vocalist of Silentium band, Riina. 

So, this was really satisfying until I found that others try to pollute this mood of success, and break my ashen soul once again as they want to defeat me, and create a legend in their point of view, LOL, HATERS WONT'S STOP TO HATE. I don't know what they wanted to do against me, do whatever you want, by the way I am still on the road! 

Actually, those actions made me sick, disappointed, and depressed, so I decide to beat this mood, and back more stronger to the scene again, and lets see who is stronger! 

I liked to initiate my return with one of the closet albums to my heart, and soul, and one of my lonely nights favorite companions, "Wider than the Sky" by 40 Watt Sun, and what's enhanced my choice is my previous talk with 40 Watt Sun manager who welcomed me to be on his mailing list alongside finest reviewers from all over the world.   

Actually, in 2016 when the album was released I wished to review it, and now THE DREAM CAME TRUE! 

Background

Formed in 2009 by Patrick Walker, 40 Watt Sun is one of the finest British Post Rock/Alternative/Indie/Doom Metal/Atmospheric Rock. It has two releases: "The Inside Room" (2011) which includes one of top 40 Watt Sun hits "Restless", and "Wider than the Sky" (2016) which conquered the top lists and charts announced by the finest number of Metal Webzines, and Magazines such as the Rolling Stone. 

Release Details

Album: "Wider than the Sky"

Band: 40 Watt Sun

Genre: Atmospheric Rock/ Post Rock/ Alternative

Date of Release: 2016

Origin: The UK

Rate: 8.5/10

The Review 

As I mentioned above in the title, The album discusses four main human feelings through lyrics and music: Passion, Confusion, Inner Talks, and Time. In my point of view, those four topics are parallel through the whole album, moreover, they are very touchable through the broken melodies of Spanish Guitar, the slow- tempo of drums, the stability lies in various riffs, and the passionate, impressive vocals lines. 

One of the well-made tracks of this album is "Stages", and to be more consistent, the band means here the different stage of love, specially after departure! 

"Stages" also is the longest track in the album, it is 16 minutes, and 13 seconds! 

It starts with alerting, tunes of guitars followed with different sounds of guitars, and slow tempo, Doom Metal influenced drums. "Stages" mood is really impressive, and emotional, specially it carries a catchy atmosphere of bleakness. 

Actually, the track is somehow long, beside it doesn't carry a lot of musical movement. Actually, my favorite part is the part starting from 9:48, because it is more melodic, and it carries the best part of the lyrics (In my POINT OF VIEW) 

The Heart of the matter that the both of us can't hide 

Beats on against us with the rhythm of the tide 

and through this apathy wider than the sky 

I am feeling everything like nothing in my life 

The whole track makes me feel through its stable part that life after departure is somehow boring, bleak, unexciting, and depressed, and as the singer remembers his attempts to make his lover happy, you feel that the tempo becomes somehow a little bit faster, covered with more melodic guitar sounds, as it reflects the stream of memories inside the brain. 

And in the part I mentioned its lyrics, you can distinguish the blaming, and the aching of the singer through his high pitched vocals, and performance. 

Then, in the final instrumental part of the track, which reflects the breaking point of the wounded soul, you can touch the angry beats of drums, the aching sounds of the guitars, the feelings of breakdown. 

The next track is "Beyond You", and I find that it is place is perfect after "Stages", because "Beyond You" is a calm, emotionally balanced, and somehow shorter than the previous "Stages", and the upcoming "Another Room".

"Beyond You" as I mentioned is more impressive, and emotional, it carries a wonderful harmonious sounds Spanish Guitars, alongside the other kinds of guitars. 

The track is opened with the same guitar style of "Stages", but in somehow slight dynamic tempo, the first sentence of the lyrics is really grieving, and painful, even in its performance 

"Take What you need, or What you can save"  

In 4:12, you can find one of the best harmonious instrumental parts in the album, beautiful Spanish/Classic guitar sounds fly with emotional mood enhanced with drums beats. This magical mood is followed with painful, strong vocal part, it touches me deeply 

"Whatever love will take apart

Beyond these precious moments,

These alone are undivided;

And when the night holds weight,

Pouring unfamiliar pain

In black sheets of separation"

Very magical song, and performance, so I appreciated the decision of releasing this song first, before releasing the album back in 2016, as it would give a positive impression to the listener.