URNE Setting Fire To The Sky
URNE's Setting Fire To The Sky arrives as a bold statement of underground emergence and hard-won growth, and the critical consensus suggests it succeeds. Across two professional reviews the record earned an 85/100 consensus score, with critics praising how songs like “Be Not Dismayed”, “Harken The Waves” and “Breathe” balance melodic heft with crushing heaviness to push the band beyond their niche.
Reviewers consistently point to “Be Not Dismayed” as the album's centerpiece, noting Joe Nally's renewed roar and sharpened riffs that give the track authoritative momentum; Kerrang! singles it out when answering queries like "best songs on Setting Fire To The Sky." The Spill Magazine highlights opening anthems such as “The Spirit, Alive” and the cinematic title track for establishing the record's emotional catharsis, while mid-album epics like “Harken The Waves” demonstrate URNE's technical musicianship and progressive/post-metal fusion.
While both reviews are broadly positive, critics emphasize growth and transformation rather than stylistic reinvention: the band refines a long-carved vision, marrying delicate passages with technical gallop to create moments of genuine transcendence. For readers searching for a concise verdict on Setting Fire To The Sky - is it good, what do critics say, and what are the best tracks - the evidence from professional reviews suggests this collection is both a standout in URNE's catalogue and worth repeated listens.
Critics' Top Tracks
The standout songs that made critics take notice
Harken The Waves
1 mention
"Nine-minute odysseys such as "Harken The Waves," featuring Mastadon’s Troy Sanders, unleash a different kind of growth for the band"— The Spill Magazine
Be Not Dismayed
2 mentions
"From the opening moments, "Be Not Dismayed," "Weeping To The World," and "The Spirit, Alive" make it clear that this album was built with melodic heft"— The Spill Magazine
Breathe
1 mention
"Tracks like "Breathe," featuring Jo Quail, are breathtaking, blending seamlessly with URNE’s palette."— The Spill Magazine
Nine-minute odysseys such as "Harken The Waves," featuring Mastadon’s Troy Sanders, unleash a different kind of growth for the band
Track Ratings
How critics rated each track, relative to this album (0-100). Only tracks that made critics feel something are rated.
Be Not Dismayed
Weeping To The World
The Spirit, Alive
Setting Fire To The Sky
The Ancient Horizon
Towards The Harmony Hall
Harken The Waves
Breathe
Nocturnal Forms - Bonus Track
What Critics Are Saying
Deep insights from 5 critics who reviewed this album
Critic's Take
URNE have crafted something imminently triumphant on Setting Fire To The Sky, and the best songs - particularly “Be Not Dismayed” - explain why. The record feels like the one to push them out of the underground, not by chasing trends but by perfecting and expanding a long-carved vision. “Be Not Dismayed” detonates with authority, its riffs biting hard and Joe Nally’s roar carrying new conviction, making it the clear standout among the best tracks on Setting Fire To The Sky. The album’s strongest, most complete statement yet balances modern heft with the darkness that defines them, which is why listeners asking "best songs on Setting Fire To The Sky" will be pointed straight to “Be Not Dismayed”.
Key Points
-
Be Not Dismayed is the best song because it detonates with authority, biting riffs and Joe Nally’s convinced roar.
-
The album’s core strength is perfecting and expanding Urne’s vision, balancing modern heft with defining darkness.
Themes
Critic's Take
URNE’s Setting Fire To The Sky spends its runtime turning grief into grandeur, and the best songs - especially “Be Not Dismayed”, “Harken The Waves” and “Breathe” - show why. The record opens with triumphant melodies and urgent instrumentals on “Be Not Dismayed” and “The Spirit, Alive”, establishing the album’s melodic heft early. Mid-album epics like “Harken The Waves” and the cinematic title track expand the band’s palette, marrying technical gallop and delicate passages in a way that feels both primal and transcendent. Ultimately, these standout tracks make Setting Fire To The Sky feel bigger, bolder, and emotionally cathartic, the kind of album that rewards repeated listening.
Key Points
-
Harken The Waves is the emotional centerpiece, featuring Troy Sanders and delivering a nine-minute, impactful odyssey.
-
The album’s core strengths are its blend of melodic heft and heavy post-metal textures, and its emotional catharsis and technical growth.