Out Of Darkness — Seize The Day
Cover by Eric Barrios
With Seize The Day, Out Of Darkness breathes new fire into their debut, transforming familiar ground into something bolder, sharper, and fully their own. This re-recorded full-length release is a fearless reclamation of purpose. Rebuilt from the inside out with heightened precision and raw emotional clarity, the album reflects how far the band has come since their explosive debut. From production to performance, Seize The Day captures a band in full command of their sound — aggressive yet refined, technical yet deeply human — and delivers a metal record that refuses to play it safe.
Out Of Darkness formed in 2020 in Jacksonville, Florida, founded by drummer Brent “Deadly” Smedley (Iced Earth) and frontman Eric Barrios. Since then, they've carved a name for themselves by blending progressive and power metal roots with a melodic edge that gives each track shape and identity. The band has weathered challenges and emerged sharper, hungrier, and more focused.
Seize The Day feels like the result of that pressure. The reimagined production, handled entirely in-house by guitarist Bill Staley, allows the music to hit harder without sacrificing space or detail. Tracks breathe and burn in equal measure, built on solid riff work, thoughtful vocal arrangements, and dynamic pacing that sets the album apart from so many formulaic releases.
The opener and title track sets the tone with clarity: heavy, melodic, and unapologetically earnest. KNTRL builds on that foundation with defiant energy, offering a standout moment both sonically and visually with its accompanying music video. There’s muscle here, but also intention — riffs that move, and lyrics that reach for something more than posturing.
Oh My pushes that range further, with vocal interplay that gives the track an internal tension. Barrios shows an impressive ability to move between grit and clarity, never leaning too far into either extreme. It’s this kind of subtlety — rare in a genre often obsessed with excess — that makes the album feel like it was made for listeners who actually pay attention.
Midway through the record, Through The Light arrives like an unexpected detour: a brief, ambient instrumental on keys that softens the space and hints at something transcendent. It’s a gutsy move — and one that pays off — setting the stage for I Surrender, which opens with clean, emotional vocals and builds into a stirring, melodic centerpiece. The transition between these two tracks is one of the album’s most satisfying moments, showcasing the band’s understanding of flow and contrast.
Out of the Asylum continues to push boundaries. At just under a minute, it’s a fragmented soundscape of spoken word and effect tension — unsettling, cinematic, and tonally disorienting in the best way. From there, the band launches into a cover of King Diamond’s Welcome Home, and it’s no throwaway homage. Their version captures the theatrical energy of the original while putting just enough of their own stamp on it. Barrios rises to the vocal challenge with sharp control, and the solo work stays faithful without falling into imitation.
Closing track Dreams About the Rain slows things down, but not to fade away — rather, to pull listeners in one last time with haunting balladry and a spotlight on Barrios’ clean vocals. It’s the kind of song that doesn’t scream for attention but earns it anyway.
This record feels lived-in, intentional — made by musicians who know exactly what they want to say and how to say it. Every track serves a purpose, every transition feels considered. And that level of care is what sets Seize The Day apart.
With upcoming Florida shows this summer and a growing reputation for intense, well-crafted live performances, Out Of Darkness are positioning themselves for a breakout year. And while the metal landscape is crowded, few bands are building with this much integrity — from the ground up, and on their own terms.
Courtesy of The Metallist PR
