Upon Wings—Last Love EP (2022)

Details

Mixed by Skidd Mills (Saving Abel), featuring drums from Kyng’s Pepe Clarke Magaña and produced by Uplift Production’s Kevin Jardine. Released Friday 23 September 2022.

Band

Anne Autumn Erickson—Vocals
Ralf Scheepers—Guest vocals
Kevin Jardine—Guitar and beats
Max Georgiev—Guitar (?)
Glenn Brown—Programming
Pepe Clarke Magaña (drums)
Peter Tzaferis (drums)

Tracks

Last love (featuring Pepe Clarke Magaña of Kyung)
Eternal way (featuring Ralf Scheepers of Primal Fear)
Scars
The Dream (10th anniversary edition)

Review

Last year, I was approached by Upon Wings’ singer, Anne Erickson, to review their forthcoming single, “Last love”. Despite having made a decision to only review EPs and albums, because she asked nicely, I agreed. But then I got sick and I wasn’t sent a link to the video. But I’m better now, YouTube is pretty easy to search and their EP was released in September of last year. So, I decided to review that.

The EP begins with the title track, “Last love” (track 1). A gurgling guitar riff that opens up to a beat that pulses with power and melody. Rather inevitably, I expect many will make immediate comparisons with Amy Lee. It’s a fair comparison, but don’t just dismiss Upon Wings as an Evanescence clone. In the absence of Evanescence releasing anything new, this more than adequately fills that gap. This is their Pepsi to Evanscence’s Coke (or vice versa, depending on your taste).

The song is dynamic, emotional and carries itself on soaring vocals and crushing riffs. The playing is tight, the mix is well balanced, and it leaves me wanting to hear more.

“Eternal way” (track 2) opens with a crystal-clear vocal that glides effortlessly above a staccato, saw-like riff. It’s a gently paced song that is beautifully melodic, accompanied by a soulful and sorrowful guitar solo.

A slight departure from the direction of the previous two songs, “Scars” (track 3) has a more industrial feel (perhaps more home-industry than commercial) with what I presume are programmed drums and keyboard effects. It’s a laid-back, mournful song that lacks the weight of the first couple of tracks but perhaps that is where its power lies.

Closing the EP is the 10th anniversary edition of their debut single, “The Dream” (track 4) which from the off is an operatic offering—with warm and piercing vocals that drip over an undulating, breathing wash of chords that lulls the listener into a dream-like state. Beautiful stuff.

Conclusion

If you are into operatic-influenced alternative metal, for sure, check out Upon Wings. Their songs are punchy, emotional, melodic and beautiful.

Review score: 80%

Disclosure

Anne Erickson contacted me inviting me to preview Upon Wings’ then forthcoming single, thank you. I have no connections to either Anne Erickson or Upon Wings. I’m not being paid to review this. Many thanks to Anne Erickson and to Upon Wings for continuing to create fresh, exciting music.