Melodic. Punk. Emo. Metal. Epic. Energetic. Heartfelt. Intense. Indefinable. All words that describe the 5 piece onslaught known as Her Bright Skies. Though their cockiness and musical language is all American, the accent is 100% grade-A Swedish. Hailing from a small town in Sweden named Jonkoping, these guys know how to grab you by the codicils and take you for a ride, whether you like it or not.
Her Bright Skies has developed a distinctly modern sound, with piercing melodies, emotive vocals – all on their own terms, becoming a band which has purified its sacred mission to carry your ass into a world where angsty testosterone ridden music rules.
If you are a past fan of Her Bright Skies you know that these guys are in it to win it. Though the new release Rivals is unlike their previous two releases (2008’s A Sacrament; Ill City and 2010’s Causing A Scene), they seem to have taken a different approach with this one. A lot of the intensity and epic feel remains; yet it seems less processed, more produced and a tad over thought. It is missing some of the rawness, depth, and experimental sounds that made “Ghost of the Attic” so epic. Don’t get me wrong. Rivals is still a force to be reckoned with. Fronted by Johan “Jaybee” Brolin, you can hear the influences on Rivals. Think Asking Alexandria, maybe a bit of 30 Seconds To Mars, or some newer My Chemical Romance. You get the picture.
The first track off of Rivals is “Working Class Punks”, which is all kind of intensity, a little snotty, a lot angsty, and perfect for all the little emo children of the world. I can already see them jamming to it, paint can in hand, ready to wreak havoc.
“Lovekills” is the album’s first single. Its lyrics “I take take take what I 
want want want” say it all. It has a great build up to the solo and is sure to be a major hit for Her Bright Skies. It has perfect amounts of punk and angst in it.
The title track “Rivals” starts out with a nice piano piece before getting punchy, followed by some heartfelt lyrics. It’s sort of a tug-o-war between melodic and profound.
“I’ll Be For You” is a beautiful song, very stripped down, very deep. This is the one that you can get out the tissues for. Songs like this show that this band can do it all. The album ends with “Sweet Sweet Revenge”. SSR is angsty, punchy, and epic – a hell of a way to end the CD.
Her Bright Skies is a name you are bound to hear regularly from here on out. Check out some of their past ass-kicking tracks, such as previously mentioned “Ghost of the Attic“, “Little Miss Obvious” or “Heartbreaker”, and pick up the new release Rivals which is scheduled to be released November 19th, 2012. You may have just found your new favorite band.
By: J. Schmecker – RockRevolt™ Magazine
Check out Her Bright Skies song “Ghost of the Attic”
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAVLY_PQIRk]
Also, check out the Her Bright Skies facebook page.
