SEASON IN SILENCE

"Season in Silence" is the 6th full-length studio album by Italian technical/progressive death metal act Sadist. The album was released through Scarlet Records in March 2010. Sadist were formed in 1990 and while they´ve never achieved any notable commercial success, they are still widely considered among the most prolific technical/progressive death metal acts out of Italy. They were originally active from 1990 to 2001 where they disbanded, but reunited in 2005 and released their 5th full-length studio album in 2007 (an eponymously titled release). So "Season in Silence" is their second album after their comeback. "Season in Silence" is a concept album with a lyrical theme involving subjects like childhood innocense, nightmares, and examination of nature.

Stylistically the music on the album is technical/progressive death metal featuring aggressive "core" tinged growling vocals. Keyboards also have a dominant place in the soundscape. The riffs are both culled from the death- and thrash metal books of playing. While the album certainly belongs in the technical/progressive death metal camp, Sadist generally restrain themselves, so this is not a tech metal fest and the song structures are generally not overtly complex. Sadist always favored atmosphere over technical playing and continues to do so on "Season in Silence".

The material on the 12 track, 46:34 minutes long album is relatively well written and effectful, but overall it lacks a bit in the memorability department. The band are very well playing, but it´s like they struggle to come up with some really memorable hooks. The general quality of the songwriting is decent enough, but you just get the feeling that musicians of this high class, could have produced music a little more catchy. "Season in Silence" features a powerful and clear sound production, which suits the music well, so it´s a quality release on most parameters. The songwriting does drag my rating down a bit, but a 3.5 star (70%) rating is still deserved.

(Originally posted on Metal Music Archives)