SILENCE OF ANOTHER KIND

I really wasn't expecting too much from this release after hearing a lot of negative opinions. Well as they say "Don't believe everything you hear". This is an excellent album much like THE GATHERING's "Home" release, very melancholic with the focus on Petronella's vocals. I really like this style of music and especially the mellotron that is featured on 5 of the 9 tracks. By the way i'd like to point out former LANDBERK bass player Stefan Dimle's fabulous playing. Incidentally he also owns the record label "Mellotronen", and was an important part of the band MORTE MACABRE. Oh, and another plus is that the length of this record is 42 minutes. Just right.

"Shame" is simply an amazing song that I can listen to over and over. Quite heavy to open but it settles when the vocals arrive. This contrast continues. Mellotron flows freely and check out the samples 3 minutes in as bass and drums continue. Just a great track. "Your Misery" is very atmospheric to open, but it ends up being all about the vocals. A slow moving track with strummed guitar, piano and lots of atmosphere. "Falling" is laid back as well but only better. Vocals, keys and light drums lead the way early. Mellotron before 2 1/2 minutes and 4 minutes in. Good tune. "Still Standing" opens with over a minute of processed vocals. Then those beautiful vocals come through after 1 1/2 minutes, contrasted with mellotron and a fuller sound before 2 1/2 minutes. This contrast continues. I like the atmosphere with the vocals and piano on the mellow passages. Some flute as well. Another killer tune and the best one since the opener. It reminds me of "Home" from THE GATHERING.

"Is That All ?" is even better ! Gentle guitar and soft vocals are followed by some heaviness and emotional vocals. Gulp. Incredible. The contrast continues. Love this track. The song starts to slowly build with vocal melodies 4 minutes in. Check out the heaviness 5 minutes in as drums pound and gale force mellotron blows in. What an intense ending. "Procession Of Fools" is a brief instrumental. "There Will Be No Miracles" is the only song i'm not fond of, in fact it doesn't even fit in on this record in my opinion. Uptempo and commercial sounding but it's ok. "Not A Sound" is back to the melancholic mood with cello, mellotron and violins. Sad vocals as well. The fuller sound after 5 1/2 minutes to the end is a highlight. "Silence Of Another Kind" is experimental sounding with spacey sounds and samples. Kind of cool.

They thank THE GATHERING who they were touring with, as well as Peter Nordins from ANEKDOTEN.