Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!

JFH Music Review


Fit For A King, Dark Skies
CLICK COVER TO ENLARGE

Fit For A King
Dark Skies



Artist Info: Discography
Genre(s): Metal
Album length: 10 tracks: 38 minutes, 25 seconds
Street Date: September 14, 2018


READER RATING:   


Ever since their breakthrough effort, 2013's Creation/Destruction, Fit for a King has become one of the most consistently exceptional acts in heavy music in recent memory. Their ability to balance crushing breakdowns with technical precision and an ear for melody made them stand out in a genre that has, unfortunately, gotten rather stale. Although Fit for a King has yet to truly shake things up (and I know they can), they've managed to perfect their craft and utilize every ounce of potential the metalcore tag has in hand. Both of their prior records saw them developing various aspects of their sound and this latest record is no exception.

Musically, Dark Skies is the tightest batch of songs the band has penned to date. "Engraved" and "The Price of Agony" opens the record with a showcasing of both their heaviest elements and their most melodic but, for the most part, the latter aspect is what Dark Skies chooses to accentuate the most. "When Everything Means Nothing" and "Youth | Division" feature some of the strongest vocal hooks of the band's career, and when the latter changes keys for its final chorus, the outcome is spectacular. Likewise, "Debts of the Soul" is a gentle, slowly building interlude that quickly explodes into an epic finale. As a result of a bigger emphasis on melody, the music itself often leans in a more hard rock direction, which could potentially be a problem for some listeners. But even though Dark Skies takes a slightly softer approach overall, there are still a number of potential fan favorites. "Backbreaker," as its name implies, is a crushing, aggressive anthem that's sure to get the moshpit rolling. "Anthem of the Defeated" sounds like an early cut from Ryan Clark's Training for Utopia, and in the death metal inspired "Shattered Glass," it's easy to mistake Ryan Kirby's low growl with Brook Reeves' signature roar. These are easily among the heaviest tunes Fit for a King has performed to date, and while they aren't the strongest moments on the record for this reviewer, they're undeniably fun nonetheless.

Thematically, Dark Skies fits somewhere between Slave To Nothing's triumphant declaration and Deathgrip's hopeless, death-ravaged setting. There are plenty of moments filled with doubt, despair, and fear, but these heavy themes are sung with the intention of looking up to someone above ourselves. "The Price of Agony" reveals the unnecessary divide we too often create due to differences in political opinion. "Our divide is growing further and further / The hands of time are moving faster / When will we stop paying the price of agony? / Holding on to what we know. / Too proud to change, too scared to grow." The aforementioned "When Everything Means Nothing" attempts to break away the masks we choose to hide behind to tell us that pain and suffering aren't something that we should shun or ignore. We're all walking the same road and no one is suffering alone. "I try to smile, try to fight, just say I'm okay / But everyday feels like a hurricane / Yeah, I was born in the rain." "Oblivion" ends the record on a note of redemption and forgiveness as the singer cries, "The road back to you feels so long with so many battles along the way / I brought all of this on myself and I should accept the blame for everyone I've hurt / Through all my mistakes, you still look down on me / You show me your face in a way I can see.... you forgave me."

Dark Skies may be Fit for a King's fifth studio record, but the energy, passion, and enthusiasm these men have for their craft and ministry has not changed since they entered the scene with Descendents. Despite a couple of minor shortcomings, Dark Skies proves that the band can still hold their own and belt out some earth-shattering tunes while they're at it.

- Review date: 9/11/18, written by Lucas Munachen of Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!

 

. Record Label: Solid State Records
. Album length: 10 tracks: 38 minutes, 25 seconds
. Street Date: September 14, 2018
. Buy It: Apple Music
. Buy It: iTunes
. Buy It: Amazon.com (CD)
. Buy It: Amazon.com (Vinyl)
. Buy It: Amazon Music (MP3)
. Buy It: fitforaking.merchnow.com

  1. Engraved (4:56)
  2. The Price of Agony (4:47)
  3. Backbreaker (2:50)
  4. Anthem of the Defeated (2:37)
  5. When Everything Means Nothing (3:51)
  6. Youth Division (4:15)
  7. Shattered Glass (3:34)
  8. Tower of Pain (4:29)
  9. Debts of the Soul (2:38)
  10. Oblivion (4:26)
spacer     Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics

 

 JFH Album Sample Player

 



Leave a Comment

 

 

go to main Album review page
go to Album review archive

 

 

                 
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!

Search JFH



This Friday, September 5, 2025
ALBUMS
A Life Aligned The Light That Failed To Cease (independent)
Philip Anthony A League of My Own (ALOMO) - EP (independent)
Josh Baldwin Full Grown Man, Vol. 1 - EP [Bethel]
bodie NO SKIPS [Provident]
Colony House 77 (Pt. 1) [Roon]
Coqui LIVING 2 DIE - EP [DREAM]
The Gray Havens This Is Not the End (independent)
Forrest Frank CHILD OF GOD II (BACK TO BACK) DELUXE [River House]

SINGLES
Bill B. GOD KNOW ft. TrigNO - Single [Syntax]
Mark Bishop I'm Gonna Do What I Said I'd Do - Single [Sonlite]
Brave Days Friendly Fire - Single (independent)
CalledOut Music Adore You - Single [Integrity]
Michael Carder Where Do I Go From Here - Single (independent)
Charis Music Pressing Through (feat. Hailey Trevino) - Single [NWN]
Darius Mullin & Dre Murray Cash & Burn - Single [Syntax]
Kristene DiMarco Song for My Children - Single [Bethel]
Amanda Janson Sinner to Saint - Single [Pure Mosaic]
JSP It's Not Your Fault - Single (independent)
Tae Lamar Vengeance II (feat. MotionPlus, Propaganda, and m1L) - Single [Polished Arrow]
Patrick Mayberry Everlasting Arms - Single [Provident]
No Vain Glory FLEX - Single [Syntax]
Jemimah Paine Reason - Single [Integrated Music Rights]
R.kitect Tha Deep End - Single [Syntax]
Razzie & theprodigaljoe Man Make Plans - Single [Syntax]
Saints in Exile My Mind is a Prison - Single [Syntax]
Carly Ann Taylor Why Should I Worry (Remind Me Version) - Single [Curb]
Jaci Velasquez, Evan Egerer ¡DALE! Praise - Single [Rixon]
NEEDTOBREATHE Momma Loves Me (feat. The Red Clay Strays) - Single [Omnivore]
Wisenheart Well-Worn Door - Single (independent)
Zahriya Zachary Shine n Me (feat. Edward Rivera) - Single [Bethel]

Next Friday, September 12, 2025
ALBUMS
Jervis Campbell Good Grief! (independent)
Demon Hunter There Was A Light Here [Weapons MFG]
Roxanne Grace Try Again [DREAM]
Ellie Holcomb The King Is Still The King [Capitol CMG]
Sower Contemporary Christian Machine - EP (independent)
twenty one pilots Breach [Fueled By Ramen]
Phil Wickham Song of the Saints [Fair Trade]

SINGLES
BASECAMP Under the Blood (feat. Knaladeus) - Single [Polished Arrow Music]
Dan Bremnes Find Yourself - Single [Curb]
Matt Hammitt Days God Gave - Single (independent)
Amy Jay Margins - Single (independent)
The Undertaking! Forever Remember - Single (independent)


For all release dates, click here!
 

Join honey and save on online purchases!
Need proofreading and editing help? We've got you covered! Click here to learn more
Check out depositphotos for royalty free images