Released by: AFM Records

Release Date: January 27th, 2017

Genre: Progressive Metal

Links: https://www.facebook.com/borealisband/

Line Up:

Matt Marinelli – Guitars & Vocals
Sean Werlick – Keyboards
Trevor McBride – Bass
Sean Dowell – Drums

Tracklist:

1. Lost Voices
2. Midnight City
3. From the Fading Screams
4. Forget the Past
5. Eyes of A Dream
6. World of Silence
7. The Afterlife
8. Divine Answer
9. The Dawning Light
10. Black Rose

Every single band we know and love started off as an idea in the head of one or more of its original members. Every one of them started off in someone’s bedroom, garage, or other practice space, and every one of them started off as a local band with hopes, dreams, and aspirations of being able to at least get their name and songs out there on the off chance that their creation will not only touch the lives of people who will later become fans, but also to allow them to be able to keep doing so, whether on a grander scale or at least maintain a following locally. So many local bands have so much great potential, yet most never get the chance to go further than that practice space or further than clubs and parties around the home. There doesn’t seem to be a great predictor of determining what band makes it and who is relegated to a non-entity. Oftentimes the one that hits the big time isn’t necessarily the one most deserving. When a band gets the opportunity to at least record a debut album, very few get the opportunity to get to go back and re-record an independently released debut after finally breaking through and becoming a band with even a dash of International notoriety. Canada’s Borealis has been given that chance.

In 2008 the band released World of Silence, not knowing what the future held for them, only wanting to get out the songs in their heads to whatever masses that would be lucky enough to get their hands on it. Though not a household name (yet,) Borealis has eked out their own little spot in the in the Prog/Power Metal world, especially coming into their own with 2015’s Purgatory and spots on some key tours, it got their name out and allowed them to make music for people in parts of the world they only dreamed of playing. World of Silence was already a fantastic debut, taking a style rooted very much in the influence of Evergrey and adding their own take on it. The re-recording is stronger, much more powerful, and darker than its first birth, though the roots of what made that album great are still in place. It certainly shows the growth and development the band has made since 2008. Playing both versions of the album back to back show exactly why the band opted to go the re-recording route instead of merely remastering it- sonically it’s stronger and adds greater depth and emotion to the songs.

If you’re already a fan of this band, it’s a no-brainer that you would get World of Silence MMXVII. Borealis and AFM have taken a masterful debut album and made it vastly better with the sound and performances. There is no fear of it diminishing the place that the original started. The band is also giving the same treatment to Fall From Grace and, even better, are working on brand new material. If you don’t know this band, check them out. They’re exceptionally talented musicians with excellent songs on top of that.