Urne – Setting Fire To The Sky
Urne – Setting Fire To The Sky
Spinefarm Records
Release Date: 30/01/2026
Review by Oli Gonzalez
9/10
Urne. London based progressive metallers. Look at any of the big festival stage times and their name always seems to be appear on the lower stages or early on the main stage. They’re band who have achieved a lot already but it feels like the band have still been cooking, and not quite reached their full lofty potential yet. Their next offering, “Setting Fire To The Sky” may well be the catalyst to take them to that next proverbial level.
Well, let’s make it clear; Urne are not fucking around here! They’re making a serious statement with “Setting Fire To The Sky”. Evolution is the term that springs to mind here. “Serpent And Spirit” was the appetiser, the noise to make you stop and take notice. “A Feast On Sorrow”, the starter. It’s great but you know something is being held back and the best is still to come. “Setting Fire To The Sky” is the main course that exceeded all lofty expectations.
Urne spent time on the road with none other than the mighty Gojira, progressive death metal royalty. Maybe there was a knowledge transfer along the way there, because the production values have seen a sharp improvement. This allows to really feel the apocalyptic intensity and gravity of the record. Because trust me, this has the force collapse buildings and topple skyscrapers! They achieve this through a careful and bludgeoning assault on the senses though, an approach that slowly builds tension and intrigue, and dishes that out in careful and strategically placed waves. This gradual and phased release ensures that you’re fully engaged and constantly seeking the next high.
Though it’s not all about the jaw dropping and earthquake inducing. Songs like ‘Towards The Harmony Hall’ demonstrate that they can still bring the intensity and vast soundscapes minus the crushing distortion. The densely layered tapestry of riffs and unpredictable ebbing and flowing of the album, requires the Rossetta stone to try and be decoded, testing the musical theory knowledge of the most knowledgeable in the area. This speaks to Urne’s advanced song writing ability and the phenomenal compositional skills within the band.
Guest musicians can be a great addition to any band, adding something beyond the skillset in the band. The instantly recognisable cello of Jo Quail adds an epic orchestral dynamic to Urne’s already fiercely emotionally charged output. One of Urne’s slowest efforts that’s dripping in unfiltered human sentiment, try getting through this song without feeling misty eyed, or resisting the urge to hit the replay button!
Vocalist Joe and Urne as a whole have been described as one dimensional in the past in the vocal department. Though with a variety of approaches on offer here – whether it’s the vast and dramatic cleans, the introduction of guttural roars, or Joe’s signature primitive emotion drenched wails of angst – any accusations of lacking variety can be firmly extinguished here!
Surely many of us will be adding “Setting Fire To The Sky” to our end of year album lists come December 2026?!
TRACKLISTING:
01. Be Not Dismayed
02. Weeping To The World
03. The Spirit Alive
04. Setting Fire To The Sky
05. The Ancient Horizon
06. Towards The Harmony Hall
07. Harken The Waves
08. Breathe
09. Nocturnal Forms
LINKS:
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