"A
WALK THROUGH OCEANS" MCD.
REVIEWS PAGE 1
QUINTESSCENCE
WEBZINE (NETHERLANDS).
Golden Lake Productions released 2 very good MCD`s lately. One from Forsaken
(also reviewed on Quintessence) and this one from Unsilence, both doom
metalacts. This 4-track release by Unsilence, from the Bolton area in
the UK, is a recommendation to fans epic doom in the style of a band like
Solstice. In the case of Unsilence you should also think of a bit of My
Dying Bride thrown in to of get the idea what they sound like. The 4 songs,
clocking in around half an hour, have been recorded and mixed at the famous
Academy studio under the supervision of Mags. The music is well played
and the compositions are above average with great melodies and heavy riffing.
One of the main attractions on this disc are the deep, clean vocals by
Andrew Hodson. His vocalstyle fits this kind of music beautifully, leaving
me just one conclusion. Once again a great doom metal release by a promising
doom metal act
Review by Pim. Email: silk@wanadoo.nl
Website: http://www.quintessence.sh
BLOODDAWN
(GERMANY)
These Englishmen apparently made it their duty to publish every two or
three years a MCD with four songs which have then however a good half
hour play time, which, leaves, with Slayer, Brocas Helm, Canadian Slaughter
and Deicide even full albums, which are sold also at evenly such price.
Four spellbound songs Unsilence have now on this new EP and all friends
of doommetal. Weighing tons of melancholy with an epic impact side are
now already said that it concerns here a hammer. Alone this singing, medium
highly, melodic and occupied with an immense sadness. Not so much filled
with pathos, rather fulfilled with resignation. Them riffs steam roll's
sluggishly, in addition, gladly in the mid speed. Supports from creeping
to ramming rhythms. Dozens of brilliant leads, which less pure fiddly,
than rather small, thoughtfully composed melody elbows are, what appear
embedded into these atmospherically close riff structures. Occasionally
they are done in such a way, so moving beautifully that one would like
to presently/immediately loose the control. Unsilence are in one of this
year's highlights. It is heavy surely to want to refer it to one of the
twenty best pieces. With a piece little the slope of the British gleams
to the deathlike doom through, a few monstrous growls refining those darkly
- tendency of the piece dreary. Who stands on Doom, now no longer or for
a long time will be allowed to hesitate. This killer volume earns hearing.
Review by Sacha Marua. Email: Sir
Lord Doom@aol.com Website: http://www.BloodDawn.de
VAMPIRE
MAGAZINE (NETHERLANDS).
The British formation Unsilence is one of the quality signings of Golden
Lake Productions (Forsaken, Serenade, Mithras) from the northern part
of England. Therefore it's not too unobvious that when drummer Jonathon
got a job offer in the south of Britain, he left the band in last march.
Quite a shame, since Unsilence has released a great MCD with "A Walk
Through Oceans". The band sounds very tight, and also due to the
very well produced sound, the four songs (lasting just over half an hour)
sound very well balanced.
The melodic, melancholic and heavy doom of Unsilence has a very "stable"
feel to it, like nothing in the world could break the band apart (ok,
sorry for the ironic phrasing). The songwriting's a joy for the ears,
everything seems to work out just perfectly and the band has paid attention
to detail. Guitar fade-ins and transitions remind me somewhat of countrymates
Anathema, yet this comparison doesn't fit totally regarding the atmosphere.
There are some vague resemblances, and I'm having a hard time finding
a band that sounds alike. A clear and definite hint for originality? Hardly.
Unsilence does nothing new nor refreshing, but it does sound superb! Especially
my favorite track "The Unknown" is absolutely stunning. The
clean vocals of Andrew are wonderful, only out of tune once in a while
but always filled with melancholy and sorrow.
Together with Forsaken's "Iconoclast", these two doom-jewels
of Golden Lake have been a regular play the last couple of weeks. Yet
still I'm not indulged... I want more of this first-class stuff!
Review by Serge. serge@vampire-magazine.com
Website: http://www.vampire-magazine.com
STONERROCK.COM
(U.S.A.)
While not a fan of EP releases, I got some good word on this release and
decided to give it a try after hearing a song from Unsilence on a Psychedelic
Fanzine compilation. The band more than delivers on this 4 song, 30 minute
album. Very doom drenched music that sounds a lot like My Dying Bride
minus all the gothic trimmings. Vocalist Andrew Hodson has a clean voice
very similar to Aaron from My Dying Bride. Musically the sound is very
slow, more in an epic feel like While Heaven Wept while still having the
sound of other doom legends like Candlemass & Solitude Aeturnus. There
are keyboards in the mix, but they blend in with the music perfectly,
not standing out like a sore thumb or watering down the sound, just the
right touch to give the gloomy feel on here more atmospherics. All 4 songs,
"Still", "The Unknown", "Deep Is The Stigma",
and the title track are a treat to listen to. Highly recommended doom
release. Can appeal to fans from My Dying Bride to Solitude Aeturnus.
Review by Darren McWilliams. Email: cargosofdoom@hotmail.com
Website: http://www.stonerrock.com
BRUTALLICA
MAGAZINE (BULGARIA).
This MCD is very special for me because we printed the CD cover (Brutallica
Print) and we also contributed to the label to press the CDs here in Bulgaria.
I hope that with our small help, we will have contributed to the bands
success in the future. Otherwise, these UK doom metallers are quite famous
in the underground circlesas they exist for more than 10 years yet their
music is evry emotionaland on a very high level and this, I believe. will
be confirmed by every connoisseur! As I stated already, the style of Unsilence
is emotional and melodic doom meta lwith great epic & majestic moments
and athmosphere. . I can point out only one more band with such a style
and this is the mighty UK doom masters Solstice (unfortunatlyI heard that
they broke up). Still, Unsilence's songsare a bit more melancholic than
the ones of Solstice, I think. This is high quality doom metal with very
clearand at places sorrowful vocals, slow heavy and dense guitars and
some very remarkable and skilled guitar solos. The 4 tracks (which are
quite l;ong)were recorded at the famous Academy studio and engineered
by the guru Mags, who is responsible for a lot of metal classics through
the years. Nice band with very beautiful and emotional musicwhich I really
enjoy
Review by Chavdar Tzachkov. Email:brutallica@intercom.bg
Website: http://brutallica.8m.com