I have to say, that when I've found a Ukrainian metal band, it has always been a black or a pagan metal band, if I recall correctly. But seems like this time around it was going to be something else at last. Flying operate somewhere between heavy metal and more extreme genres like death metal and thrash metal. So do Flying manage to bring in something fresh, then?

To tell the truth, no, they don't. Bluntly yet effectively put, I hear this 3-song promo as a clash between Gurd and Gorefest, with some melody thrown in. In that order; the first one is the major style, the later being smaller. The music is very heavy at times, and sometimes downtuned in the modern way too (and it holds quite a big groove factor, too), with some melodic breathers heard on 'Break the Spell'. The songs are too long in consideration of their contents, and there is no surprises to be heard in them. They simply are way too foreseeable... The manly growl plays the leading part, with some pretty characteristic (Simen Hestnæs aka ICS Vortex is the closest comparison I guess), if not very good, clean singing. This is competently performed throughout, but Andy LaRocque production is heavy, but much too clogged for its own good. The playing sounds spacious yet still tight; they know their stuff.

I bet Flying are enjoyable enough when seen live, but with this promo release they cannot raise above the vast mass of metal bands, who are bubbling under the renowned and more stirring bands. A few glimmers of hope can be heard in these three songs, but with the help of the acclaimed producer alone, the band can't stand out of that mass. They need to throw out more hooks towards a listener or something... Be more intriguing, into the point, even though they are already half-way there. Flying have already two full length album under their belts, by the way, so let's see what they will do next time around. Or rather, what can they do.

Reviewed by Lane
07/07/2009 19:46