Earthandsky

Earthandsky (stylized in all caps; read as Earth and Sky, sometimes referred as Earth & Sky) is the sixth studio album by American rock band Of Mice & Men. It was released on September 27, 2019, through Rise Records.[5] The album was produced by Josh Wilbur and is the follow-up to the group's fifth album, Defy (2018). It is their last album to be released on this label before the band signed to SharpTone Records in 2021. It sold 4,000 copies in the US in its first week.[6]

Earthandsky
Studio album by
Of Mice & Men
ReleasedSeptember 27, 2019
Recorded2018–2019
StudioHybrid Studios, Santa Ana, California[1]
Genre
Length43:40
LabelRise
ProducerJosh Wilbur
Of Mice & Men chronology
Defy
(2018)		 Earthandsky
(2019)		 Timeless
(2021)
Singles from Earthandsky
  1. "How to Survive"
    Released: February 14, 2019
  2. "Mushroom Cloud"
    Released: May 3, 2019
  3. "Earth & Sky"
    Released: July 26, 2019
  4. "Taste of Regret"
    Released: September 5, 2019
Digital cover
Artwork used on digital streaming and download services.

Background and promotion

On October 10, 2018, Aaron Pauley announced that the band is working on a new album with producer Josh Wilbur. Pauley has also stated that the new record will be 'heavier' compared to Defy.[7]

On February 14, 2019, the band released the first single of the album titled "How to Survive" which, as they stated, sounded much heavier than tracks from their previous album Defy.[8]

On May 3, the band released the second single titled "Mushroom Cloud" and its corresponding music video.[9]

On July 26, the band released the third single and title track "Earth & Sky" along with a music video.[10]

On September 5, the band released the fourth single of the album titled "Taste of Regret" along with an accompanying music video.[11]

Critical reception
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
Alternative Press(favorable)[12]
Dead Press![13]
Distorted Sound9/10[4]
Kerrang![14]
Rock 'N' Load10/10[2]
Rock Sins8/10[15]
Wall of Sound8.5/10[3]

The album received mostly positive reviews from critics. AllMusic gave the album positive review and saying: "Earthandsky feels even more locked-in; an expertly crafted and undeniably hefty slab of grade-A melodic hardcore that plays fast and loose with genre tropes without losing any vitality in the process."[1] Alternative Press gave the album a positive review and stated: "Of Mice & Men brought so much authenticity to Earthandsky by continuing to explore the realities of the mind. No two songs are the same. There's aggression, there's darkness and there's exploration of emotions. Then you get smacked with sonic heaviness, which fans can totally embrace and welcome to the OM&M repertoire."[12]

Dead Press! gave the album a positive review saying: "With a determined mindset, Of Mice & Men may have proved on Defy that they can continue as a quartet, but with Earthandsky, the group display the ability to lead the next wave of metalcore."[13] Distorted Sound stated that "Earthandsky is a hefty gift from Of Mice & Men. One could argue it's merely the "step-up" from Defy with an expected push into an even heavier direction, but pockets of surprises with songs that don't hold back in the experimental changes give them a unique, refreshing sound."[4]

Kerrang! was a little less positive stating, "Whichever facet of Of Mice & Men first appealed to fans, they're catered for even more ably on Earthandsky than on its predecessor. It is an album as epic as its title, and proves that, although this is a band who have had to traverse more trouble than some, they will not be defeated by them."[14] Rock 'N' Load praised the album saying, "Earthandsky feels like a natural progression for Of Mice & Men, showing just how far they've come as musicians in the last 9 years while keeping true to the sound that made them a massive part of a lot of younger metal fans lives too."[2]

Simon Crampton of Rock Sins rated the album 8 out of 10 and said: "6 albums into their career and Of Mice & Men have only just begun scratching the surface of what they are capable of. Earthandsky is one of the strongest albums in their entire arsenal and proves that no matter what is thrown at them, they are fully prepared to dust themselves off and keep coming back better than they were before."[15] Wall of Sound gave the album a positive review saying: "Earthandsky is a representation of past and present day Of Mice & Men. The band aims to find the perfect balance in melodic metalcore right throughout this record, layering screams, vocals and breakdowns in a way that makes for an enjoyable listen."[3]

Track listing
No.TitleLength
1."Gravedancer"4:32
2."As We Suffocate"3:43
3."Taste of Regret"3:28
4."Mushroom Cloud"4:04
5."Pieces"3:43
6."Deceiver/Deceived"4:09
7."Earth & Sky"4:10
8."The Mountain"4:27
9."Meltdown"3:19
10."Linger"4:08
11."How to Survive"3:56
Total length:43:40

Personnel

Credits retrieved from AllMusic.[1]

Charts
Chart (2019) Peak
position
Australian Digital Albums (ARIA)[16] 25
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[17] 78
Scottish Albums (OCC)[18] 68

References
  1. Monger, James. "Of Mice & Men Earthandsky". AllMusic. Retrieved September 27, 2019.
  2. "Of Mice & Men // Earthandsky // Album Review". Rock 'N' Load. September 26, 2019. Retrieved September 27, 2019.
  3. May, Tamara (September 25, 2019). "Of Mice & Men – Earthandsky (Album Review)". Wall of Sound. Retrieved September 26, 2019.
  4. Summan, Yasmine (September 26, 2019). "Album Review: Earthandsky – Of Mice & Men". Distorted Sound Mag. Retrieved September 26, 2019.
  5. "OF MICE & MEN To Release 'Earthandsky' Album In September; 'Earth & Sky' Video Available". Blabbermouth.net. July 26, 2019. Retrieved July 26, 2019.
  6. "Of Mice & Men album fails to chart on Billboard 200". Lambgoat. October 8, 2019. Retrieved May 30, 2021.
  7. "Of Mice and Men Working on 'Heavier' New Album With Lamb of God Producer". Loudwire. Retrieved October 10, 2018.
  8. brownypaul (February 15, 2019). "Of Mice & Men just dropped a HEAVY new song called 'How To Survive'". Wall Of Sound. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
  9. Munro, Scott (May 3, 2019). "Of Mice & Men launch video for explosive new track Mushroom Cloud". Louder Sound. Retrieved May 3, 2019.
  10. "Of Mice & Men Announce New Album + Deliver Title Track 'Earth & Sky'". Wall Of Sound. July 26, 2019. Retrieved July 26, 2019.
  11. "Of Mice & Men Premiere "Taste Of Regret" Music Video". The PRP. September 5, 2019. Retrieved September 5, 2019.
  12. Watson-Goetz, Danie (September 27, 2019). "Of Mice & Men celebrate 10 years with melodic Earthandsky - review". Alternative Press. Retrieved September 30, 2019.
  13. Taylor, Damon (October 4, 2019). "Album Review: Of Mice & Men – Earth And Sky". Dead Press!. Retrieved October 4, 2019.
  14. Hickie, James (September 26, 2019). "Album Review: Of Mice & Men - Earthandsky". Kerrang!. Retrieved September 26, 2019.
  15. Crampton, Simon (September 27, 2019). "Of Mice & Men – Earthandsky". Rock Sins. Retrieved September 30, 2019.
  16. "ARIA Australian Top 50 Digital Albums" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. October 7, 2019. Retrieved October 5, 2019.
  17. "Offiziellecharts.de – Of Mice & Men – Earth & Sky" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved October 4, 2019.
  18. "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 5, 2019.
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