A worthy gathering indeed!
DYING VICTIMS PRODUCTIONS is proud to present Gathered Under Open Skies, a special split mini-album between Germany’s FIRMAMENT and MIDNIGHT PREY, on CD and 12” vinyl formats.
Gathered Under Open Skies is indeed a special gathering, bringing together two forces that have become something like flagship bands for DYING VICTIMS: old “newcomers” FIRMAMENT and the reunited MIDNIGHT PREY. This special mini-album includes two brand-new tracks from both bands, totaling 23 minutes of vintage rock/metal moodiness.
FIRMAMENT continue their ascent following their widely acclaimed We Don’t Rise, We Just Fall debut earlier this year, having largely risen from the ashes of speed metallers Tension but bringing a different approach with them. Here, with new vocalist Marco, the five-piece further flesh out that velvety vision, taking turn-of-the-‘80s hard rock (and even a touch of equally early deathrock) down roads much more melancholic and emotive. You might even shed a tear while rocking out to their two fistbangers here; wherever you wanna go, FIRMAMENT will take you there. And tears may’ve been shed when MIDNIGHT PREY initially called it a day in 2020, but as of last year, the power-trio are back in action and, this summer, released a two-song tape to pick up right where they left off with their modern-classic Uncertain Times LP. Those two songs are provocatively titled – “Black Cat” and “Sword and Shield” – and between them, MIDNIGHT PREY keep that clean-yet-dirty surge that’s equal parts punk, rock, and metal but totally unique. And considering the epic lengths these two tracks go to, the future suggests more splendors to come…
Graced with gorgeous cover art, Gathered Under Open Skies is a borderless realm where hard rockers, punks, metalheads, and general weirdoes can all roam. FIRMAMENT and MIDNIGHT PREY care nothing for genre limitations, and together invite you into their idyll.
Line-up Firmament:
Stefan Deutsch – Bass
Jonas Zeidler – Drums
Tom Michalik – Guitars
Philipp Meyer – Guitars
Marco Herrmann – Vocals
From Leipzig, Germany.
Line-up Midnight Prey:
Friesen – Bass
Hannes – Drums
Winston – Vocals, Guitars
From Hamburg, Germany
Artwork:
Dirty Hyena Art // Vega
Release date:
December 15th 2023
REVIEW
I’m an absolute sucker for anything remotely cosmic or science fiction, so the album cover is an automatic thumbs up. It’s great to see metal finally embracing the sci-fi, just as it did with fantasy decades ago. Similarly, both band logos are superb! The flourished “A” from FIRMAMENT, and really just the entire font used for MIDNIGHT PREY, such beauty for thine eyes.
I admit, of the two bands, I am only familiar with FIRMAMENT. After catching their debut earlier this year, which I admittedly wasn’t as high on as other people. But I think that means that its earned a re-listen! Still, the record did enough for me to keep me attached to the band, and I was eager to see what else they could cook up.
MIDNIGHT PREY, on the other hand, is a band of which I am only vaguely aware. By my understanding, they had great debut release in 2019 with Uncertain Times, but split-up in 2020 before reuniting just last year. So, this kind of a comeback record for them, in addition to their EP release in July, Black Cat/Sword and Shield (which makes up the second half of this split).
FIRMAMENT kick things off for us with “Lord of the Night Sky”, which begins with nice melodic, and almost bluesy, guitarwork, along with a real locomotive bassline. The 70s vibes are strong here, and that’s a good thing. Really reminded me of TANITH as well. Herrmann’s vox really connected with me on this one, in such a way that I really need to give FIRMAMENT’S debut record another deep dive. Simple, but hooky, guitar solo towards the end that was a solid bow on top of a great track. Herrmann really belts it to bookend things. Two thumbs up for this one!
Following that we have “Mortal Giants”. It started off with some grand chugging riffage. Goddamn, the vocals are really hitting me hard tonight. Kicking myself for not loving their debut on the first listen. Everything is just perfect sounding. I love it, I’m almost speechless at how much this is up my alley.
Now we head over to the MIDNIGHT PREY side of things, who begin with “Black Cat”. It’s almost MOTORHEAD-esque, but it’s got a very noticeable DANZIG or even MISFITS vibe to it, especially with Winston’s vocal styling. There’s a stunning tempo shift at about the halfway mark, where even the vocals are changed ever-so slightly. It’s this portion of the track that wins it over for me, the versatility is to be commended.
Finally we have “Sword and Shield”, which is also the longest track on the entire split, clocking it at a whopping 7:54. Really loved the bass in this one, kudos to Friesen for really holding it down. This is kind of what I would call the band’s “show-off track”, wherein each member gets an opportunity to show-off and showcase just what they can do. Think like METALLICA “Hit the Lights”, which this sounds nothing alike, but that’s the kind of song it is. Winston’s vocals are much more varied here, than in the previous song, and it’s clear that while “Black Cat” was influenced more so by punk and speed, that this song brings it back around to traditional metal, and maybe even a touch of blues and some prog rock sprinkled in. All told, this was a phenomenal way to end the record!
CONCLUSION
Dude, what a split! All four songs were certified bangers, with not a second of filler anywhere to be found. Not only that, but it convinced me to go back and give FIRMAMENT’S “We Don’t Rise, We Just Fall” another listen through. While their two styles are almost drastically different, I believe that’s more of a strength than a hindrance. It shows just how diverse NWOTHM can truly be, and that’s a beautiful thing. This split is definitely on my pick-up list! Don’t miss it!
TheNWOTHM Score: 9/10
FIRMAMENT
Bandcamp: https://firmamentband.bandcamp.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FirmamentRock/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firmament_band/
MIDNIGHT PREY
Bandcamp: https://midnightprey.bandcamp.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MidnightPrey
The Nwothm 
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