Released by: Black Lodge Records
Release date: October 31, 2025
Genre: Melodic Hard Rock
Links: https://sarayasign.com/
Line Up:
Stefan Nykvist – Lead vocals
Peter Lundin: Lead and rhythm guitar
Daniel Lykkeklev – Bass, keyboards
Jesper Lindberg – Drums, rhythm guitar, keyboards, loops and soundscapes
Tracklist:
1. Worlds Apart (Shadowlands)
2. Watching It Burn Away
3. Shades Of Black
4. Shadows Of The Dying Light
5. From Ashes
6. The Wanderer
7. One Last Cry
8. The Nameless Ones
9. Coming Home
10. Walk Alone
Sweden’s Sarayasign have done it again. With “Shadows Of The Dying Light,” their third full-length, the band continues to prove they’re one of the most exciting acts operating in the melodic rock/metal space right now. After two stellar releases, they’ve managed to push their sound into darker, heavier territory without losing what made them special in the first place.
Right from the opening track “Worlds Apart (Shadowlands),” you can feel the shift. There’s a menacing edge here, a brooding intensity that signals this isn’t just more of the same. The atmosphere is denser, the mood more ominous, but that trademark Sarayasign blend of melody and muscle remains intact.
Vocalist Stefan Nykvist continues to be a major asset. I’ve said before that his voice reminds me of AOR greats like Chris Ousey and FM’s Steve Overland, but heavier, and I still stand by that comparison. He can hit those highs with the best of them, but it’s that raspy tone in his voice that I really enjoy – it adds a nice layering to the vocal melodies that sets the band apart. He’s got range, power, and character all working together.
One of the prime cuts on this new record is “Watching It Burn Away,” a track that perfectly demonstrates what Sarayasign does best. Here, that balance of power and melody hits at the same time – it’s not one or the other, but both firing on all cylinders simultaneously. This is melodic metal done right.
The super melodic hooks of Peter Lundin are still reverberating throughout the record, and on “Shades of Black” you get more of the structure that hits you on previous records – familiar territory but executed with the confidence of a band that knows exactly what they’re doing.
The title track is an ambitious piece, clocking in at almost 7 minutes. It starts slow, building atmosphere and tension before it transcends into a more galloping groove that propels the song even further. It’s a journey, showcasing the band’s progressive leanings without losing sight of the hooks.
More epic choruses come in “From Ashes,” and once again Stefan takes flight. These are the songs on their resume I enjoy the best – hit the highs, groovy thumpers that are super catchy with a heavy backend. The guitar tandem of Lundin and Jesper Lindbergh continues to impress with riffs that hit hard while maintaining strong melodic sensibility. They understand dynamics, knowing when to crush and when to pull back. Daniel Lykkeklev’s bass and keyboard work adds crucial depth, building those layered soundscapes the band has become known for.
“The Wanderer” proves they can still tap into genuine emotion even when exploring darker themes. Throughout the album, there’s that well-balanced heavy melodic rock/metal with proggy escapades, sounds and layering that works so well in this genre.
The closer “Throne Of Gold Part III – The Hidden Portal” brings this chapter of Jesper Lindbergh’s ongoing Saraya narrative to an epic conclusion, blending progressive ambition with melodic metal muscle.
“Shadows Of The Dying Light” finds Sarayasign refining their formula while taking creative risks. They’ve gone heavier and darker without sacrificing the melodic hooks and progressive elements that define their sound. Three albums in, they’re still delivering quality material with no filler in sight.
Life hasn’t been easy lately, and I’ll admit my focus on music isn’t what it once was. After years of doing this, moments like these remind me why it still matters – when an album grabs you from start to finish without a single skip. Sarayasign delivers that experience yet again. Music remains the soul of life, a place where we find our peace and connection when everything else feels heavy. Keep doing what you’re doing, Sarayasign. You’ve built something special here, and there’s a fan base that truly appreciates it. I nearly overlooked this record when the promo arrived, but I’m glad I gave it the attention it deserved.
Written by: Shadow Editor
Ratings: 9/10
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