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Age Of Silence is
a new band from Norway and in a sense
is another super-project. Most of
the members of the band have a rich
background in participating in some
of the top bands of the Norwegian
scene (Arcturus, Winds, Mayhem, Khold,
Borknagar etc). Although most of them
deal with the extreme forms of metal
(mainly black metal), Age of Silence
is nothing more than a progressive
metal band. Now the term progressive
is a little bit relative, because
it doesn't fit exactly in the "popular"
format of progressive (Dream Theater,
Fates Warning and so on). But on the
other hand the term that their label
uses, "astro metal", sounds
too silly to me.
They are a progressive
metal band, in a genuine way that
combines the historic background of
the band and the general rise of the
Norwegian prog metal scene. Practically
this means that you are about to listen
to something between the recent Arcturus,
Winds, Madder Mortem, Psychotic Waltz
(contributing to the atmosphere of
"Acceleration") and Sieges
Even, altogether with rich orchestrations
and beautiful vocals. Indeed Lazare,
who is responsible for the vocals,
has a unique way of singing that adds
to the mysterious atmosphere of the
CD. A CD, which deals with a strange
fantasy story, in the veins of Ray
Bradbury's novels, with philosophical
wanderings and symbolisms. This sounds
very enticing, isn't it? The final
result is beyond expectations. To
be honest the cover (done by all-around
Travis Smith) and the profile of the
members, was quite ominous for a man
who dislikes in general black metal.
But I was wrong. The band has a good
potential and they have to continue
in this way. The problem sometimes
with many Norwegian bands is that
due to the creativity of their members
and their musical worries tend to
leave their work incomplete. I hope
that this isn't only a fragment of
some creative minds. In any way, this
is a good investment for all those
who seek something different in progressive
metal. |
