Released by: Inner Wound Recordings
Release Date: November 29th, 2013
Genre: Progressive Metal
Links: http://www.silentvoices.net/
Line Up:
Teemu Koskela -vocals
Timo Kauppinen -guitars
Henrik Klingenberg -keyboards
Pasi Kauppinen -bass
Jukka-Pekka Koivisto -drums
Tracklist:
01. The Fear Of Emptiness
02. No Turning Back
03. Reign Of Terror
04. Faith In Me
05. Black Water
06. Burning Shine
07. Through My Prison Walls
Finnish band Silent Voices was founded in 1995 by guitarist Timo Kauppinen, bassist Pasi Kauppinen, drummer Jukka-Pekka Koivisto and keyboardist Henrik Klingenberg. A couple of years later the line-up was completed when Michael Henneken joined in on vocals.
The first album “Chapters of Tragedy” (2002) was not very original and was severely influenced by Dream Theater and Symphony X. The next two albums Infernal” (2004) and “Building up the apathy” (2006) were more driving and interesting combining Melodic Progressive Metal with Modern Power Metal elements. Then the groups’ vocalist Michael Henneken left the band.
After 6 years of silence the band comes back with their 4th full-length record “Reveal the Change”. And the album title really describes that the music direction has been changed. It is still Progressive Metal but mostly mid-tempo and with some Hard Rock influences. Powerful and dynamic parts were toned down; the sound is not so aggressive. I notice that Hammond Organ parts are widely used now.
Musicians decided to invite 5 guest vocalists for the new album so vocal parts were performed by the following famous singers: Mats Levén (Therion, Yngwie Malmsteen), Tony Kakko (Sonata Arctica), Mike Vescera (Loudness, Yngwie Malmsteen), Mike DiMeo (Riot, Masterplan) and Teemu Koskela (Winterborn).
Those singers made a solid work and I have nothing against them. However their voices are rather similar (except Tony Kakko) and I often could not clearly recognize who is singing. That’s why the trick with many singers does not work well here. The beginning of the album is not exciting. The first track ‘The Fear of Emptiness” is a mid-tempo Progressive Metal with hints of Hard Rock. It is calm and somewhat boring though second part is a bit heavier. It is 9 minutes long but the track lacks exciting moments.
The next song “No Turning Back” is slightly better. It starts with acoustic intro and then goes on in the same vein as the first track but more impressive and bright; the catching melody on the 5th minute is quite good. “Reign of Terror” uses heavier riffs but again a bit boring. Fortunately it is more intensive at the end and technical inventive guitars and intriguing keyboard solo save this track. “Faith in Me” is a bit simpler and has some faster moments and it works here, it is the first track that seems to break from the norm.
From this moment I feel that the record was better and the 5th track was a really amazing. “Black Water” is dynamic and heavy instrumental with good synth parts and awesome guitar parts. It becomes more and more impressive, interesting and faster. At last the band shows all its strength! The remaining numbers are also good. “Burning Shine” is a Driving Prog with Power Metal elements and the final “Through My Prison Walls” is a slightly up-tempo song with solid varied Progressive parts and it has many really exciting moments and does not sound dull or tedious at all.
So the new album is not bad, it contains some worthy songs. The musicians do not lose their skills but I personally prefer previous albums of the band with noticeable Power Metal influences and more aggressive approach to the music. Nevertheless the band is back and I am sure that fans of Melodic Progressive should like “Reveal the Change”.
Written by Egor “EG Power”
Ratings Egor 7/10
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