UMUR
"Night Hides the World" is the third full-length studio album by US heavy/speed metal act Spellcaster. The album was released through Prosthetic Records in July 2016. It´s the successor to the eponymously titled sophomore studio album from 2014. It ended up being Spellcaster´s last release as they disbanded in 2017. Internal tensions had arisen in the band and lead vocalist/guitarist Tyler Loney left to pursue other projects and instead of continuing the band with another singer, the remaining band members threw in the towel and disbanded. A couple of months after leaving Loney was arrested for domestic violence charges, which could potentially have ended the band anyways, so the split probably came at the right time. Some members went on to form heavy/gothic metal act Idle Hands (which was soon renamed Unto Others), while others formed Silver Talon.
"Night Hides the World" is stylistically the less powerful and more mature big brother to the 2014 "Spellcaster" album. It´s not quite as powerful and hard edged (speed metal oriented) as the previous album and it´s more melodic and polished. That doesn´t make "Night Hides the World" a bad quality release it´s just differet from its direct predecessor and if you´re fine with a more polished and clean version of the "Spellcaster" album, "Night Hides the World" is definitely not the worst listening choice. There are still plenty of harmony- and lead guitar themes and Loney has a pleasant if not the most interesting voice and delivery. If you´re familiar with the first Idle Hands/Unto Others album, think how that album sounds and take away the gothic vocals of Gabriel Franco and you´re halfway there to understanding how this album sounds. A 3 star (60%) rating is warranted.
