Review: Din Of Celestial Birds ‘Takeoffs & Landings’
Way back in May 2024, while attending the much-loved (and now lost) Portals Festival, two acts caught my attention that I hadn’t known much about beforehand, but afterwards became utterly fascinated by. One was Ireland’s Overhead, The Albatross, and the other was Leeds-based Din Of Celestial Birds.
Both bands weren’t my usual cup of tea, but during their sets I became utterly compelled by them equally. Little did I know at the time that Din Of Celestial Birds were relatively new to the scene, as their proficiency made it feel like they had been together far longer than a few years (which included that darned pandemic).
After returning from Portals, I invested in The Night Is For Dreamers, their debut album. I was taken aback by just how incredible they were, both in a live setting and on vinyl, and ever since, I’ve been eagerly waiting for any new material. Admittedly, it has been a hectic couple of years – how are we already into the second half of 2026? You may be wondering why it’s only now that they’re getting new material out into the world, but fear not, it has been totally worth the wait.
Takeoffs & Landings is a lavish eight-track journey into the concepts of travel, adventure, and living life to its maximum. Throughout the course of the opus, the quintet takes us on an instrumental magic carpet ride of highs and lows without ever uttering a single word. So accomplished is the unit’s skill and ability to work in unison to create an experience more than just a story, and it is all beautifully played out in a way that only this group could successfully achieve.
The highs absolutely soar, and the lows are so saddeningly relatable that it’s easy to forget it’s created, so you have to use your imagination and own unique experiences to piece together the storylines. Higher-paced intensity brings a sense of urgency, while quieter interludes give a chance for some reflection and respite.
For example, on the opening and title track, Takeoffs & Landings, we are instantly met with enthusiasm and energy for a forthcoming adventure. It is all positive and upbeat, every element seems to be on a high, and as it progresses, the sense of wonder and excitement builds into a euphoric explosion of colour. Having recently been away with my four children, I can relate to this feeling. They each brought their own nervousness and excitement, and by the time we had flown and landed, everyone was at an elevated thrill level.
an instrumental magic carpet ride of highs and lows without ever uttering a single word…
Track two, Marmoris throws us right in at the deep end, and as initial overstimulation makes way for a need to readdress, so too does the pace as it drops back into a more formulated and calmer narrative. It is eloquently beautiful, and full of texture, and as it progresses, it drifts off into a more considered mindset. That being said, it does set off again before its conclusion, and the serenity is replaced with a far more abrasive and anxiety-driven final third.
And this is the case with this album; it’s completely open to interpretation. You can take what you want from it all. It may well resonate on a more personal level at times, and that’s fine; it’s supposed to, and is encouraged. Ultimately it’s all about the experience, and if you can take something from it, then that is even better.
With From This Summit We Can See The Heavens & The Stars you get a real feel for that overwhelming out-of-body revelation upon witnessing something so truly monumental – as if you are leaving your very being and diving straight into the ether. Din Of Celestial Birds manage to recreate that experience by understanding the assignment and bringing it to life sonically, and this is true of the whole album.
Elsewhere, tracks such as You Are My Temple work to highlight just how overwhelmingly huge things can be, and to me, it feels like you are being encouraged to take those risks, those opportunities, and go and find something phenomenal. It’s the band lighting the way, and through the use of the instruments, they create a lavish musical work of art to help unleash those feelings. This is the case time and again across the album, and with each new track there is a new opportunity to explore further.
By the time we reach the closing track, Second Star To The Right, And Straight On ‘Til Morning, things have mellowed, as if the climax of the adventure is drawing to a close, and with it a last fond farewell to it all. It’s a truly magical signing off and wraps up the package beautifully. An initial softer reflective period swiftly moves aside, and as it opens out, one last euphoric blast sets it off epically.
Absolutely class and such a welcome return. Keep your eyes peeled: Din Of Celestial Birds will be the ones to watch as 2026 draws to a close.
Label: Big Scary Monsters | A Thousand Arms Music | Tomato Records
Band Links: Facebook | Bandcamp | Spotify | Instagram
Scribed by: Lee Beamish
