Can't please everyone, I guess
Did quite some experimentation with the vocals and the production, so I'm not surprised some people are put off by it, hehe
. Here's another review from Darksoul with a quite different view on things:
"Age of Silence is the Norwegian super group featuring Lazare (BORKNAGAR,
SOLEFAD), Eikind (KHOLD, TULUS), Hellhammer (MAYHEM, ARCTURUS,
WINDS), and two other lesser known (but no less talented) members who go
under the names Extant and Kobbergaard. Last but not least is the amazing
Andy Winter, mastermind behind WINDS.
Now, describing what this band is all about is a bit harder and I hope they
don't get offended if I am a little off in my perception.
Age of Silence's website looks like a corporate site pushing it's latest product,
and if you read the mission statement under the product tab on the site you
get even further confused.
Basically in the guise of a clinical corporate entity the band, through music,
explores human behavior with philosophical twists and lyrical imagery.
I'll stop there and let you decide for yourself what it is all about, as I can at
times weave to much into a concept with my own thoughts.
Is this music original, is it different, you ask? In many ways...yes.
While at times I am reminded of Winds (for good reason) and Dream
Theater, it has a few later years Dimmu Borgir and Emperor moments.
The majority of the vocals are clean, but the music is consistently heavier
than it is in Winds, there are many similarities of course.
The music itself has a stronger edge, and an almost disturbing feel to it.
I always find it interesting to hear what known metal musicians can do when
they explore outside the genre a bit, sometimes the results are poor but in
the case of Age Of Silence the results are excellent.
I had to play this cd a few times to let my brain wrap around the concept, to
fully absorb all that is going on in the music. I knew I liked it almost
immediately, but each time I play the cd I get something different from it.
Which I think is a good thing.
Stand out tracks you ask? All of them. Each offers something entirely
different than the last, and all of them brilliant. As Andy Winter said in his
recent interview with us when speaking of Winds latest album, it must be
enjoyed as a whole.
I would recommend this cd to fans of; Arcturus, Winds, Solefald, Time
Requiem, Dream Theater, and the lighter material by Dimmu, Dark
Tranquility, and Emperor.
For more on Age of Silence visit them online at:
www.ageofsilence.com"
