DIANTHUS – Realms

The wait is over. The new album by twin sisters Jessica and Jackie Parry is out, and it was well worth waiting for. Dianthus – Realms is the second album by these rising stars, and it showcases their knack for intricate timing, heavy progressive guitars and dreamy vocals. With influences ranging from Rush to Gojira, Dianthus has created a unique sound of their own on Realms. With both sisters singing, Jessica on the drums and Jackie on the guitars, they have a tight sound that definitely stands out from other Prog Metal bands.

Metal Twins

Realms was produced by Steve Evetts (The Dillinger Escape Plan, Symphony X, Butcher Babies, etc.) and mastered by Steve DeAcutis, and it includes 12 new songs including the stand out tracks “Realms” and “A Space In The Silence”. They had originally previewed the tracks “Realms” and “Creeping In” during the height of the pandemic in 2020, with the lead-off single “Realms” quickly gaining the attention of press and fans alike. Realms is also the story of a sisterhood journey through a mystical fantasy world, which is soon to be further explored through various mediums (a comic book and more are in the works).

Jessica and Jackie Parry on creating realms:

“The sound on this record can be described as a synergy of elegant and aggressive musicality. Our love of classical piano, modern rock, and progressive metal blend together and serve as the soundtrack to the record’s concept.”

Final Notes

The production on this album is top notch, as are the performances. The drums are recorded to perfection, allowing the listener to hear every nuance and tone, which often get lost in the Heavy Metal genre. The guitar work is heavy, intricate, and reminiscent of Fates Warning. The vocals are lush and elegant, blending an almost Pop sound over the duo’s Heavy Prog Metal. Considering that the first single came out in 2020, it’s easy to hear the work they put in to make the record perfect, and this reviewer is glad that they did not rush the release. Listening to the album is a unique experience that is not your typical Heavy Metal act, so if you want to broaden your horizons, pick up a copy of Dianthus – Realms. You’ll be glad you did.

Lineup

Jessica Parry – Drums and percussion, vocals, piano and keyboards.
Jackie Parry – Guitars and vocals, piano and keyboards.

Realms – Tracklist

01. Realms
02. My First Breath
03. Don’t Change
04. Creeping In
05. The Quest for Nessie
06. Spines
07. A Space in the Silence
08. The Returning
09. Lonicera
10. Heart’s Ease
11. Nora’s Finding
12. Secrets & Promises