SILENT VOICES – Reveal The Change (2013)

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SILENT VOICES is a relatively unknown progressive metal band founded in 1995 hailing from Finland, and although the group have already released three albums, their just released 4th opus “Reveal The Change” is my first approach to them. Seven years passed since Silent Voices’ last record, and in the middle, lost their singer.
While they were in quest of searching for a new perfect frontman they opted for the trick that consist to have different famous guest vocalists at the same time in order to increase their creativity and the band’s polyvalence; we have no other than the great Mats Leven (ex- Treat, Swedish Erotica, Yngwie), Michael Vescera (ex- Loudness, Yngwie), Tony Kakko (Sonata Arctica) and Mike DiMeo (ex- Riot, Masterplan).
This is also a good marketing move to sell the album but the risk is to weakened the impact, to have a dilution of the personality of the music with each guest singer’s specificity, but finally the idea works really, really well.

Anyway, Silent Voices now has a new permanent singer in Teemu Koskela from Winterborn’s fame, which is presented in the first song of “Reveal The Change”. The rest of the band consists of founder Timo Kauppinen (guitar), Sonata Arctica’s Henrik Klingenberg (keyboards), Jukka-Pekka Koivisto (drums) and bass player Pasi Kauppinen (also in Winterborn).
Seems Silent Voices used to be heavily influenced by Dream Theater, but now the band is much more accessible and direct, blending progressive metal overtones with high doses of melody.
As said, first track “The Fear Of Emptiness” presents new, impressive singer Teemu Koskela. It opens in an understated way, but soon builds to a searing guitar riff with a huge hook that won’t let go. A solid mid-tempo Progressive Metal track with hints of Hard Rock that clocks in at 9 minutes long but is outstanding for its depth and quality.

Swedish shouter Mats Leven is absolutely stunning within the songs “No Turning Back” and later “Burning Shine”. His vivid interpretations, his deep implication and his voice leaves no hope for another contender, his signature vocalizing are clearly unbeatable, he is the king at the mic for this kind of genre.
Those songs are very well composed with intriguing arrangements and great orchestrations plus some acrobatic playing like a very fancy guitar work from Timo which is backed up by inventive keys in the background.

Mike Vescera also delivers a killer performance on the heavier “Reign Of Terror”, an intense track with a massive singalong chorus and a brilliant guitar solo before leading into what is probably the best keyboard section on the album, which absolutely took my breath away on my first listen.
Due to Silent Voices’ shared members with Sonata Arctica, it was surely always going to be a given that Tony Kakko would contribute guest vocals to Reveal The Change, but something doesn’t quite feel right about this one. The track is good, there’s no question about it – especially the drums, which are phenomenally powerful – but it just doesn’t sound like Tony’s voice quite fits into place on the track.

“Black Water” is a dynamic and heavy instrumental with flying synths and awesome guitar parts. It becomes more and more impressive, interesting and faster as it progresses. It’s the epic of the album that really gives each member a chance to show off. Racking in at just over six minutes, there’s a hell of a lot packed into the song and in essence, it’s just face-meltingly awesome. You end up noticing something new on each listen of it, as there’s so much going on within this composition. Another extremely strong track.
Final track “Through My Prison Walls” feels like an apt ending to it all, with vocals for this one provided by New Yorker Mike DiMeo. The introduction is long and drawn out to give you time to fully absorb yourself into the song, with the band taking their sweet time to explore each and every idea they possibly can before fully kicking things off just after the two-minute mark, and even then it takes another minute before the vocals begin, with a heartfelt performance from DiMeo. There are some absolutely phenomenal, varied Progressive breaks in this song which features many really exciting moments to enjoy.

“Reveal The Change” is a terrific platter of melodic progressive metal, both interesting and entertaining, even catchy at places. Whilst the definition of prog metal is often debated, this album holds all the key elements. It is awash with epic songs, sophisticated instrumentation and superior vocals.
Silent Voices is a great unit of superb musicians, and “Reveal The Change” should be their best album to date, chock-full to the brim of awesomeness. Make sure you check this CD – you won’t be disappointed.
Very Recommended.

1 – The Fear of Emptiness
2 – No Turning Back
3 – Reign of Terror
4 – Faith in Me
5 – Black Water
6 – Burning Shine
7 – Through My Prison Walls

Timo Kauppinen – Guitars
Henrik Klingenberg – Keyboards
Pasi Kauppinen – Bass
Jukka-Pekka Koivisto – Drums
Teemu Koskela – Lead Vocals
Mats Levén – Lead Vocals
Tony Kakko – Lead Vocals
Mike Vescera – Lead Vocals
Mike DiMeo – Lead Vocals

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