Lightyears ago we bid farewell to ISON when it passed the sun and died away, leaving nothing but a cloud of dust. Lightyears we travelled through the cold night of the endless universe when Andromeda appeared on the horizon, to wake us up to the breathtaking view of its skyline.
Three years after its stunning debut, Swedish duo ISON returns with its second effort Andromeda Skyline. Again it is a five-track EP, with the playing time of a full-length. And again, this EP is wonderfully wrapped, with the image of The Great Andromeda Galaxy (Messier 31) on the cover and a mystic lyric poster inside designed by Carolynn Haffner (only in the limited edition, which is already sold out).
ISON continues the path of its unique brand of Cosmic Drone, blending Post Rock, Drone and Shoegaze. The massive wall of sounds known from the debut Cosmic Drone was reduced a bit in favor of Daniel Änghede’s guitar work. Andromeda Skyline is a bit dreamier, intimate and even more melancholic as its predecessor. Electronicas now sound closer to Daniels other band Hearts Of The Black Science, especially during the first tones of Into The Unknown and Portals. Though, the key note is heavy. Vibrant rhythms, hard hitting bass lines and percussions and the hauntingly beautiful, ethereal yet sonorous voice of Heike Langhans go very deep, touch and are absolutely mesmerizing. The soul is crying between the stars. Andromeda Skyline opens your heart and its warmth embraces the universe. It’s another journey to the worlds beyond or to the inner I.
Andromeda Skyline sets in with a long intro that is Into The Unknown. Menacing sounds build up slowly, supporting the deeper voice of Heike before leading over to the irresistible Portals. It’s kind of a hit with catchy hooklines and an epic refrain. It’s nothing but a declaration of love. Following Helios and Nebula drift far into the fields of Ambient and are of a gut-wrenching melancholy and beauty, reflecting on our addiction to destroy the world we live in. First half of Nebula consists of an instrumental part with the width of a soundtrack that reminds me a little bit of Patrick O’Hearn’s score for Crying Freeman.  And it is the only song, where Daniel’s voice can be heard, subtle and from afar.  
Andromeda Skyline closes with its title track, a doomy 13 minutes monolith that brings back the massive sound and ends with Floyd-ish guitar notes.
Andromeda Skyline is another gem of music, even more captivating and touching as the debut. It’s all about emotions and feelings, our world and the stars.