Talia Hoit – When The Skies Fall

Talia Hoit
When The Skies Fall
Label: Iberis Entertainment / Distributed by SAOL
Out: 28^th August 2026
Playing time: 46:11

It was two years ago that Colorado-based singer Talia Hoit released her first solo album, ‘Oceans’, as a self-release. It was a thoroughly solid debut, with plenty of highlights but also a few low points. She has now completed her second album, ‘When The Skies Fall’. It will be released via the label Iberis Entertainment, which previously released her band Beyond Forgiveness’s 2025 album ‘Cold As Winter’s Ice’.

Calm and contemplative, dominated by strings – that’s how ‘Unwanted’ starts. But then it gets heavier, with riffs kicking in. And above it all soars Talia Holt’s seductive soprano. Later on, there’s an extended guitar solo. Electric piano sounds introduce ‘Tremble Within’ and remain present even as the guitar riffs take the lead. Epic orchestrations can be heard in the background. Talia demonstrates that her voice can also fill the slightly lower registers. On ‘Beyond Words’, we hear catchy guitar melodies and Talia enchants the listeners once again. Things really take off with ‘Again’. From the beginning, a faster tempo dominates; fast riffs, double bass passages and the clear vocals are compelling. There are synth staccatos in the background. Added to this is plenty of orchestral grandeur and, once again, a delicate guitar solo. The piano introduction to the mid-tempo track ‘Prayer For Rain’ starts off a little more quietly. But it doesn’t stay that way. Drums, guitars and orchestration create a harder sound. Keyboards and drums introduce ‘Orion’. Strings and keyboards accompany the singer as she soars to the highest notes. The melody has a hymnal feel to it. ‘All You Want’ also falls within the melodic soft Rock/Metal genre. Talia Holt’s versatile voice is truly impressive. Time and again, the vocals are underpinned by thoroughly varied orchestrations, with Talia repeatedly coming to the fore on her electric piano. ‘Refuge’ is a beautiful, contemplative piano ballad in which you can really enjoy the vocals accompanied by strings. It also features a brief, outstanding guitar solo. ‘Torn’ is introduced by synths, before drums, guitars and orchestration add a harder edge. The closing track, ‘Urgency’, is another real belter. Fast riffs, epic choruses and orchestration provide one last treat for the ears.

Has Talia taken my criticism of her debut to heart? At the very least, ‘When The Skies Fall’ is more varied and also harder-edged. However, it doesn’t quite measure up to the metallic intensity of, say, early Nightwish or Within Temptation. But that’s probably not Talia Hoit’s intention. The focus is, of course, on her vocals and, for the greater part, her piano playing. On her second album, she’s backed by some very talented musicians. The numerous guitar solos, in particular, are consistently impressive. In my view, this is a significant improvement on ‘Oceans’.

Talia Hoit – All You Want: https://youtu.be/tFoTETW1qhA?si=bM0hhhjVO8APTEsf

Lineup:

Talia Hoit – Vocals, Piano
Mat Plekhanov – Guitars
Max Stoner – Bass
Roland Navratil – Drums
Frank Pitters – Keys, Orchestral Arrangement

Track list:

• Unwanted
• Tremble Within
• Beyond Words
• Again
• Prayer For Rain
• Orion
• All You Want
• Refuge
• Torn
• Urgency