Radio Armazem says:
There are echoes of Evanescence in the emotional density, touches of System of a Down in the rhythmic fragmentation, and a certain melancholy of Cold and Disturbed in the layered texture. But Haines doesn't imitate; she interprets. And by choosing to remove the human voice, she forces us to listen to the music with other senses, as if to say: "Feel first, ask questions later."
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The result is a work that is both raw and refined, seemingly handcrafted, note by note, like an embroidery of anger, vulnerability, and ingenuity. "The Instrumental Sessions" is not just a collection of lyricless tracks: it is a wordless confession, an intimate diary translated into frequencies.
Ditto Music says:
The Instrumental Sessions is a testament to Alex Haines’s belief that music alone can convey profound emotions. Stripped of vocals, the album lets her intricate instrumentation take centre stage, with tracks like Look Up, Why You, and Tightrope Dancer featuring unique MIDI effects that add an ethereal, otherworldly depth. From the phaser-drenched guitars in Look Up evoking a dance
between doubt and resolve, to the layered guitar chaos in Why You mimicking an emotional rollercoaster, each song is a journey. Tightrope Dancer uses MIDI-crafted verses doubled with effects like Dripping Cycles to create a lush orchestral backdrop before the guitars roar in.
Bored City says:
What makes this album special is not just the strength of the music but the dedication behind it. She recorded and produced everything herself, building full arrangements and crafting each detail with care. It’s impressive how much depth and emotion she’s able to capture using only instruments, showing her talent not only as a guitarist but also as a producer and arranger.
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This is more than just a metal album, it’s an emotional journey that highlights the beauty of instrumental music. It’s powerful and full of surprises. It’s the kind of album that makes you appreciate the art of music itself and we think fans of metal and beyond will find something to love here.
Illustrate Magazine says:
Leave it to Alex Haines to throw out the rulebook and shred a new one from scratch. With her latest album, The Instrumental Sessions, the New York-based melodic metal artist shows that vocals aren’t the only way to scream from the soul. This background music is so emotionally layered as a body of work that it hits like a wrecking ball and heals like a symphony.
Daily Music Roll says:
I’ve been playing her new album The Instrumental Sessions on repeat since I found it. What impresses me the most is how Alex builds each track like a story told through increasingly complex phrasing, heartbreakingly beautiful harmonies, and powerful rhythmic shifts. Any listener will be able to tell that the music was shaped with intention; that every note was placed with precise care. It’s no wonder that, in spite of being a singer first and foremost, Alex has chosen to release an album that showcases the richness of her songwriting without her vocals.