SUBMARINE SILENCE

"Submarine Silence" is the eponymously titled debut full-length studio album by Italian progressive rock act Submarine Silence. The album was released through Mellow Records in 2001. Submarine Silence was founded upon an idea by Mellow Records label owner Mauro Moroni of creating a progressive rock project playing music similar to mid- to late-70s Genesis. He pushed the idea to keyboard player Cristiano Roversi (Moongarden), who founded Submarine Silence and recruited his Moongarden colleague guitarist David Cremoni for the project. The lineup was completed by drummer Emilio Pizzoccoli (Luca Donini Quartet, Sound Art Orchestra...etc.).

If the Paul Whitehead cover artwork didn´t immedately reveal it, you only need to listen to a few seconds of the music on "Submarine Silence" before you understand that the statement of intent described above is executed to the full. Other than this album being fully instrumental, this is 100% mid- to late-70 Genesis worship. Beautiful, mellow, pastoral, epic, and well performed progressive rock. The tracks feature strong guitar melodies, a good variation between acoustic- and electric guitars, a wide range of vintage sounding keyboards/synths bringing huge sweeping melancholic atmospheres to the listener, and some nice organic drumming.

You don´t come here to be challenged or to experience a band trying to produce something original, but if you set your expectations right, and are content with listening to a pleasant instrumental Genesis imitator act, "Submarine Silence" is definitely a good quality example of that. A 3 star (60%) rating is warranted.