Album: Guiding Lights

Band: Skyharbor

Rating: 4/5

One of the most eagerly awaited albums in the progressive genre this year- 'Guiding Lights' by Skyharbor, is due to release on 10 November. After building up anticipations of fans through social media, the band finally released the music video of single 'Patience', the second one for their upcoming album. While 'Evolution', the first single off the album, is gritty and fast, 'Patience' is slow and lingering.

The video, directed by Jess Cope, tells a compelling story which deals with depression and fight for survival as its primary theme. Although the lyrics are positive and uplifting, the video is dark and morose. The stark contrast between the song and the visuals is what makes the video undeniably gripping.

The use of lights, puppets and shadows is brilliantly arranged throughout the video, which is impressively supported by Dan Tompkins' melodious vocals. Although an animated video (through puppets and shadows), it successfully proves to be an explosion of emotions.

The plot is a melancholic masterpiece withholding Skyharbor's ideals of storytelling and philosophy that revolves around life and growth. The album, as stated by the band, is an experimental one; which is why the video is considerably different from anything they have attempted before. Throughout the video, there is a sense of resounding doom, which is bound to send chills down anyone's spine by the end of the four and a half minute track. While the track is quick-paced, the video gives it a lingering ambience, with pauses and stills at the right moments.

Skyharbor has done it again with a trance/dream-like vibe, resonating through the song, much like most of their music. Needless to say, the single will fit seamlessly into their record.

The video might remind many of Steven Wilson's brilliant music video for 'The Raven That Refused to Sing.' The video that was released in 2013 was one of the best made videos in the prog scene, also directed by Jess Cope. There are many similarities between that video and 'Patience', which has also been well received by critics and fans alike.