With their second album, Israel’s Scardust have become serious contenders in the symphonic prog metal world. Frontwoman Noa Gruman has the requisite vocal range and projection, hitting stratospherically high notes in Break The Ice, although she can mix rock grit with the musical theatre chop. She’s at home belting out the big, dramatic moments in Stranger, while Over sees her throw in incongruous death metal growls (not where she’s strongest, in truth).
The arrangements are impressively rich and layered, with the Hellscore Choir beefing up the backing vocals.