This is the third album from US melodic death/doom metal band Fires in the Distance.
Circadian Promise is the 49-minute follow up to 2023’s well-received Air Not Meant for Us. Bringing with them a new guitarist/lead vocalist, (from Obsidian Tongue), Fires in the Distance continue on their melodic doom metal journey.
Circadian Promise takes a cinematic approach to its material, with vast scope and breathtaking visuals. Enriched with orchestral highlights and deep melodic textures, this is music designed to engage and absorb. It’s not a repeat of the past though. Circadian Promise finds Fires in the Distance expanding the core of their sound, making for a comprehensive, confident, well-rounded new record.
In some ways Circadian Promise showcases a different direction for the band, despite the obvious similarities with what came before – less doom, more melodeath. Either way, the music still sits at the nexus of melodic death metal and melodic doom. Alongside indulging in some progressive tendencies, the songs are well-written and meticulously crafted exemplars of the style. Fires in the Distance succeed in providing something tangible and worthwhile to lose yourself in, where so many others fail by falling victim to mediocrity and genre-worship. Fires in the Distance navigate many of the same potential shortcomings, yet have an ability to unerringly avoid them. In essence, this is music that is absolutely of the style, and carries all of the hallmarks you would expect to find, but is just plain and simply better than most examples of it.
There’s a lot to explore on Circadian Promise. The songs feature exquisite worldbuilding, emotive layers, and luscious instrumentation. There is rich beauty here and all manner of melodic colouring. It’s a dark and mournful record though, employing a bleak emotive power that underpins everything else. It’s a deeply atmospheric album, but doesn’t lack bite when needed. Its aggressive tendencies only serve to enforce the feeling-focused delivery of the music. Fires in the Distance push themselves too, embracing a wider breadth of ideas and creative directions within their stylistic framework. As one example, the new vocalist is extremely capable, especially in the clean singing department. This brings a new avenue to the music, yet is completely in line with the whole.
All of which is to say that Circadian Promise is a very strong record. Melodic death and doom metal both lean towards banality a touch to readily, but this does not. Fires in the Distance’s material is steeped in quality, and the band are notable for their ability to deliver songs that are worth spending time with. Circadian Promise is a particularly potent example of what they’re capable of too. Time will tell for sure, but it’s probably their best record.
Very highly recommended.
Wonderbox Metal 