The Cascadian Divide is a Washington state based melodic skate punk band that formed during the infamous COVID lockdown. Although it started as an experiment, it soon became a passion project for the band members. The band has seen its share of line up changes over the years, but the commitment to maintaining the sound and integrity of the band has never waivered. Their latest EP, To The Sky, was self released on February 28, 2026.
This release and review are a bit different from my normal. This one is a dedication to the man behind the kit, Sky Richford, who was lost in a car accident involving an impaired driver earlier this year. From The Cascadian Divide’s Bandcamp page, “With the sudden passing of Sky, we dedicate this EP, To The Sky, to honor his memory and share the 5 songs we had the good fortune to record with him.”
Grab a tissue. Let’s get into it.
The EP blasts off with “Nothing Comes For Free” and puts out a very Bad Religion vibe. It already has elements of my favorite genre of music; melodic punk rock with intelligent lyrics. With hard hitting bars that are so relevant to the current state of our country - it’s the rallying song that we all need. “Recognize the symptoms; it's all been done before. A footnote in the story that cannot be ignored.”
“Sickness With a Smile” does not give the listener a moment to rest before matching the same energy that they started with the first song. The unusual cadence of the lyrics of this song was a highlight for me.
Slowly the guitars build upon each other in “Few and Far Between.” This track sounds a bit simpler than some of their more complex counterparts, but don’t let that fool you. The lyrics are heavy and are given the appropriate space to breathe.
“Stay Away” has a snarky vibe to it and brings the same intensity heard in previous songs. This track had my favorite lyrics on the EP. “Lies only travel halfway.”
To The Sky ends strong with “Provenance.” The Cascadian Divide leaves us with a tasty breakdown at the end that stayed with me for the rest of the day.
Overall, this EP was fast-paced, raw, energetic, and engaging. Even knowing the history behind it, the lyrics grabbed me and motivated me to keep fighting. Sky may have only recorded a single EP with The Cascadian Divide, but those 5 songs will carry on his legacy. We need this more than ever right now.
