Multinational band SERIOUS BLACK was formed in 2014 by musicians that all have a history from fairly well known metal bands, and they are self-described as good friends creating music together to a much greater extent than as what many would state was a supergroup. “As Daylight Breaks” is their debut album, and was released through German label AFM Records in early 2015.
Serious Black isn’t, as they name might suggest, a band that seeks out too many dark territories to explore. The general scope of their music is relatively light in tone and uplifting in spirit, easy to enjoy and not without nods in the direction of singalong and anthem oriented escapades at that. It’s metal though, with enough drive and intensity to shy away from the melodic hard rock and hair metal territories when it comes to that, but also undeniably accessible. Melodic metal is perhaps a good overall description.
The clear and controlled lead vocals is a specialty of the band, emphasizing the melodic intent that is a striking feature throughout. More aggressive, snarling style vocals are applied when needed, but this is first and foremost an album where controlled, appealing and melodic lead vocals dominate, and ones shying away from theatrical and melodramatic excesses at that.
The songs themselves does stretch out a bit in overall style, although not dramatically so. We get out fair share of melodic heavy metal here, complete with firm but harmony based riff constructions, finely flowing guitar solo runs and careful use of keyboard textures floating on top, sometimes in a more careful manner and at other times combing with the guitar to form a more dramatic or majestic arrangement. A few subtle nods in the direction of NWOBHM appears here and there, but more often than not as a part of or as a transition into a more purebred power metal mode, this latter aspect coming across as something of a defining trait of the band. Those fond of galloping riffs and rhythms increased into a more uptempo and tight hammering mode of delivery will find plenty to enjoy here, especially those who enjoy material of that kind explored within a context focusing on melodies and harmonies.
As for minor variations we get the almost obligatory power ballad, as well as a track towards the end with a kind of a quasi power ballad expression. Rather more interesting, at least as far as I’m concerned, are a set of three songs in the midsection of the CD where subtly unusual sounds are used too create a more mystic atmosphere. Middle eastern inspired scales and notes unless I’m much mistaken, and especially the brief mood piece Temple of the Sun comes across as a highlight for me for that very reason. The song that it preludes, Akhenaton, another highlight for me due to my taste for excursions of this particular nature.
All in all this debut album by Serious Black strikes me as a well made album on all levels. The compositions are well made and well performed, the mix and production doesn’t leave much to be desired either, although possibly a tad more compressed than what serious audiofiles may enjoy, and there aren’t really any fillers tucked into the mix either. A firm and concise quality CD that merits a check by those who find melodic metal and power metal to be generally interesting.
My rating: 78/100
