Skarlett Riot
Caelestia
Despotz Records
You expect acts to develop over a period of time, to try out different approaches, fall, learn and move on. With Skarlett Riot the process has been silky smooth with any glitches well and truly left behind closed doors. This means when a new album is released there’s a weight of expectation to deliver the goods even more so than normal. Fear not though because once again the Lincolnshire quartet have well and truly nailed it. ‘Caelestia’ still has the band trademark hard rock foundation and melody core, but there’s added steel too, not to mention a maturity that is at its most revealing during quieter moments. Full on male growling vocals add emphasis to Skarlett’s clean vox, which in itself is sublime. The songs are heavy as hell but ebb and flow with symphonic leanings in places. And when you get to those lulls they are beautifully rendered. This sounds like a very expensive record you’d normally find only on one of the major labels. It sounds like a fortune has been spent on every detail with rich production and a lovely warm feel that remains crisp throughout. ‘Caelestia’ elevates Skarlett Riot into the premier league of rock music.
Review by Gary Trueman