I’ve had “Beyond the Reach of the Sun” on repeat pretty much non-stop since receiving the pre-release from the record company. Why? Because it’s that good. Anciients have crafted something nearly perfect, an album that not only showcases their musical prowess but also the resilience and passion that have brought them back from the brink.

It’s been a rough few years for the British Columbia-based extremity-laced progressive rockers Anciients. After the success of their 2016 release “Voice of the Void”, it seemed like the world was theirs for the taking. They shared stages with everyone from High on Fire to Lamb of God, and even snagged a JUNO Award, the Canadian equivalent of a Grammy, for their heavy metal prowess. But just as they were poised to dominate, life threw them off course.

Kenny Cook, the band’s guitarist and vocalist, faced a harrowing personal crisis when his wife suffered life-threatening complications after the birth of their child. The band also parted ways with co-founder Chris Dyck in early 2017, leaving Cook to pick up the slack both musically and lyrically. Add in the upheaval of moving to a new town and the crushing isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic, and it’s no wonder Anciients seemed to fall off the map for a while.

But they’re back, and “Beyond the Reach of the Sun” is their triumphant return. This album is a testament to their perseverance, an album that demands to be experienced in full, from start to finish, to truly appreciate the journey it takes you on.

Anciients have always been adept at weaving intricate musical tapestries, and this album is no exception. From the get-go, it plunges you into an otherworldly soundscape. Imagine a weary cowboy riding off into the sunset on some alien planet during an electrical storm. That’s the vibe you get from the opener, “Forbidden Sanctuary.” The eight-minute track is a masterclass in progressive metal, with twisting guitar lines and powerhouse drumming that eventually explodes into a blast beat around the seven-minute mark, setting the bar high for the rest of the album.

As the album progresses, it becomes clear that while Anciients have crafted something special, they’ve also missed a few opportunities to push their sound further. “Beyond the Reach of the Sun” starts incredibly strong but begins to lose some momentum as it goes along. Tracks like “Despoiled” keep the energy high with riffs reminiscent of Crack the Skye-era Mastodon but with a faster, less moody atmosphere. Yet, by the time you reach the back half of the album, you start to feel the strain.

That’s not to say it isn’t still a fantastic album and there aren’t standout moments. “Cloak of the Vast and Black” picks up the tempo with its excellent verse, and “Is It Your God” boasts some amazing keyboard work, offering a glimpse into the emotional turmoil Cook experienced during the album’s creation. The guitar interplay between Cook and Brock MacInnes is, as always, top-notch, with nimble leads transitioning seamlessly into harder, rocking riffs. There’s a bit of 70s-space-rock feel in the instrumental “Candescence,” with shades of Vangelis adding to the album’s rich tone. But even with all these highlights, the album feels like it’s on the verge of something truly great without ever quite getting there.

The band’s struggles during the making of this album are palpable in the music. Cook has stepped up to the challenge of being the sole lyricist, and his deeply personal expressions of inner turmoil, fear, and isolation drape “Beyond the Reach of the Sun” in a dark yet hopeful atmosphere. The mental health struggles, the questioning of faith, and the grief over lost loved ones are all woven into the fabric of this album, giving it an emotional weight that elevates it beyond just another progressive metal record.

In conclusion, “Beyond the Reach of the Sun” is a solid album, full of the skill and emotion we’ve come to expect from Anciients. It’s an album that deserves to be played loud and on repeat, even if it doesn’t quite hit the masterpiece mark. This is an album you’ll enjoy immensely, but it might leave you feeling like it could have been just a little bit more. I’m giving this one a 9 out of 10.

Rating: 9/10

Release Date: 30^th August 2024
Label: Season of Mist

Writer: Andy Baqone

Track list:

1. Forbidden Sanctuary
2. Despoiled
3. Is It Your God
4. Melt the Crown
5. Cloak Of The Vast and Black
6. Celestial Tyrant
7. Beyond Our Minds
8. The Torch
9. Candescence
10. In The Absence Of Wisdom