Sarayasign – The Lion’s Road
Sarayasign – The Lion’s Road
Frontiers Music Srl
Release Date: 11/08/23
Running Time: 56:00
Review by Laura Barnes
10/10
There is no better feeling than seeing a band you believe in reach new heights – especially when you’ve been rooting for them since the beginning. Just over a year ago, Sarayasign released their debut concept album ‘Throne of Gold’, and it exceeded all the expectations I would have of a newly formed band; you can read me gushing over it here. It seems I wasn’t the only one bewitched by this first release – shortly after the emergence of “Throne of Gold”, Saraysign found themselves signed to Frontiers Music Srl, and the next album was just over the horizon. With everything happening so quickly, the pressure was on. When I recently interviewed Jesper Lindbergh, Sarayasign’s drummer, keyboardist, and man behind the immersive Saraya storyline, he spoke about the pressure that comes with such success. This is, of course, a very human predicament, and strangely enough parallels the narrative of “The Lion’s Road”. Winter has fallen upon Saraya, and with it, misfortune, decay, and death. The stakes for our heroes have never been higher.
On “The Lion’s Road”, everything is bigger. Louder. Heavier. When the drums violently cut through the introduction and ‘When All The Lights Go Out’ begins in earnest, it is striking just how thick the sound is, almost like a live album. It’s sleek melodic hard rock that one could imagine echoing throughout an arena, and with a vocalist as powerful as Stefan Nykvist at the helm, this dream doesn’t seem too far away. Nykvist’s vocals especially shine on the ‘Will You Find Me?’, pairing perfectly with the guest female vocalist for a cinematic ballad that illustrates the bond between lovers separated by dimensions.
As the album continues, the mythical plane of Saraya becomes equally as vivid as its characters. Title track ‘The Lion’s Road’ is absolutely stunning. Epic and melancholy in equal parts, the soundscape conjures images of a land, vast and mountainous, beautiful but unknowable. It is a song about courage, darkly compelling as Nykvist warns us: don’t look down below. The listener is reminded that every great adventure requires risk, and Sarayasign are not afraid to practise what they preach. ‘Love Will Burn’ is very much something different for the band – although Sarayasign’s music is heavily cinematic, this is perhaps the most orchestral track the band have done. There is something almost Evanescence-like in the subtle piano riffs and string-infused bridge. Hey, Frontiers, do you reckon we could get an Amy Lee collab on the next album, please? I know she’s busy and all, but if you don’t ask, you don’t get, right?
It would also be impossible to review this album without waxing lyrical about the finale track, ‘Throne of Gold Part II – A Heartless Melody’. Put simply, this is Saraysign at their best. It is storytelling and songwriting in perfect harmony, enough to give even the most cynical listener goosebumps. The song is also a breath of fresh air: instrumentals like this could have easily been paired with lyrics about a sword wielding hero, and there are many bands out there who would have done exactly that. Sarayasign, however, decide to tell the story of a young girl trying desperately to save her parents, and the result is a song that feels deeply personal. It will no doubt resonate with anyone who has found themselves with an unexpected responsibility on their shoulders, unsure if they are worthy enough to carry it.
Those were just a few of the many stand-out moments from “The Lion’s Road” – it would be impossible to mention them all in this one review. From the fire and heft of ‘A Way Back’ to the classic metal riffs of ‘Everydying Night’, “The Lion’s Road” is an album that is a masterclass of songwriting, and is a testament to Sarayasign’s growth over the last year. On a personal level, it has been a privilege for me to witness this growth, and “The Lion’s Road” is an album that I know I will revisit again and again. If you haven’t aready hopped onto the Saraya Express Train, then trust me: “The Lion’s Road” is the perfect place to do so.
‘Everdying Night’ Official Video
TRACKLISTING:
01. When All The Lights Go Out
02. Blood From A Stone
03. A Way Back
04. The Beginning of the End
05. Will You Find Me?
06. Everdying Night
07. The Lion’s Road
08. Love Will Burn
09. Hope And The Sorrow
10. Throne of Gold Part II – A Heartless Melody
LINE-UP:
Stefan Nykvist – Lead and Backing Vocals
Jesper Lindbergh – Drums, Rhythm Guitar, Keyboards, Loops and Soundscapes
Daniel Lykkekev – Bass, Keyboards
Peter Lundin – Lead and Rhythm Guitar
LINKS:
Disclaimer: This review is solely the property of Laura Barnes and Ever Metal. It is strictly forbidden to copy any part of this review, unless you have the strict permission of both parties. Failure to adhere to this will be treated as plagiarism and will be reported to the relevant authorities.
