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[Photo credits: Patric Ullaeus]

Swedish-American atmospheric melancholic pop duo SILENT SKIES – featuring EVERGREY vocalist Tom S. Englund and classically trained pianist and composer Vikram Shankar (Redemption) – have revealed a beautifully stripped-down cover of Linkin Park’s emotional hit song “Numb”!
 
Continuing on the atmospheric path of their full-length, the touching cover version of “Numb” captivates the listener with its stunning piano melodies and hauntingly beautiful yet intense vocals. The cover maintains the impactful emotion of the original song while impressing with deep soundscapes that only SILENT SKIES can achieve, while its accompanying visualizer video supports the eerie atmosphere of the song perfectly.

Listen to “Numb” HERE

SILENT SKIES on “Numb”:
“Two decades on, and ‘Numb’’s haunting melody and raw lyrics still pierce through our souls, speaking to the inner turmoil that sometimes plagues us all.

It’s a reminder that we are not alone in our struggles, that our fears and insecurities are shared by many.

In a world that often seems to delight in tearing us down, this song is a beacon of hope, a reminder that we are stronger than we think. Our arrangement seeks to amplify this message, to imbue it with the full force of emotion and meaning that it deserves. For when we connect through music, we tap into something deeper, something that transcends time and space and unites us all.

This is our contribution to honor the legacy of Linkin Park and to celebrate the beauty and power of music. For in these troubled times, it is the one thing that can still bring us together, that can still lift us up and carry us forward towards a brighter tomorrow.”

In 2017, the paths of vocalist Tom S. Englund of Swedish progressive band EVERGREY and multi- instrumentalist Vikram Shankar crossed fatefully. Both artists set themselves free from limitations to captivate their listener with Nectar – a soulful ten-track offering released in February 2022 via Napalm Records. The album is produced by Englund and Shankar themselves and mixed/mastered by Jacob Hansen at Hansen Studios.
 

SILENT SKIES on their recent album Nectar:

“Nectar represents an expansion and an elevation of all things that make us who we are; simultaneously grander and more intimate, more futuristic yet more organic and thoughtful. This record represents who we are, and it means so much to both of us, that we cannot wait to hear your feedback on it.”

Get your copy of Nectar NOW

With Gothenburg’s EVERGREY known as one of the most prolific bands in progressive metal, Englund is by far no stranger to the scene. After partnering with North Carolina, USA-based pianist Vikram Shankar – who had already worked with greats like Redemption and Anneke van Giersbergen – this fateful encounter, now known as SILENT SKIES, sets its first milestone with the release of their spine- tingling debut, Satellites, back in 2020. Two years later, this fruitful collaboration returns with Nectar, marking the sequel of something that’s far more than just a side project of Englund’s. Rather, it’s the brainchild of two highly talented individual artists with deep knowledge and many years of experience, whose creativity and spirit culminates in an exceptional form of musical expression. Shankar’s sensitive yet intense piano tunes merge with the poignant vocal interpretation of Tom S. Englund to take the listener on a touching, melancholic ride that wanders through the darkest facets of life, while always leaving a spark of hope to hold on to. This otherworldly sonic collaboration is graced by the outstanding contributions of Leprous‘ cello player Raphael Weinroth-Browne, who appears on nearly every track of the album to spice up the stirring sound even more.

SILENT SKIES’ sophomore full-length sets off with the soulful, ethereal “Fallen From Heart”, immediately creating a tapestry of sound to get lost in. Tracks like delicate “Taper” and shimmering “Neverending” are dominated by the yearning vocals of Englund, but never fail to give Shankar’s instrumental virtuosity the well-deserved space to shine bright like the first sunray welcoming the day. Darker realms lure with dramatically accented, heart-beating “Cold”, with its lingering electronic elements that build a tangible, gripping maelstrom of emotions. Instrumental title track “Nectar” closes this new chapter of SILENT SKIES but leaves its audience with a long-lasting impact and the key to a door that’s worth entering over and over again.