Within Silence: The Eclipse Of The Worlds | Power Metal Exists…and Resists
(Ulterium Records – 2024)
Is the Power Metal genre dead or stagnant? Well, the answer to that question could be conjugated with an album like this one, in which it is clear that the genre still has cards up its sleeve. The mixture with progressive Metal has been the answer in general, although the balances in many cases can derive in results that are not entirely accurate. Within Silence has been able to balance things out, and in this new album, they remark on the achievements of their previous works.
Within Silence is a band from Slovakia, a country not very well known in the Metal scene, in quintet format, with a classic line-up of two guitars, drums, bass and vocals. Their thing is Power Metal, closer to the sound of Stratovarious or Sonata Arctica, to mention some of the possible influences. The band has already released two previous albums with a superlative quality, so this “Eclipse Of Worlds” could not be less. It is convenient to review a little of what this new album is about.
The album has only 9 songs in only 50 minutes. We find a Within Silence that is not the typical Power Metal band, but knows how to balance their sound with a more progressive style. It doesn’t abuse, but the band knows which way to go, without going off the deep end. In the meantime, the band offers us good songs, powerful and interesting. Beyond the obvious comparisons, theirs sounds personal enough to enter into serious consideration. Within Silence knows when to speed it up, when to grind, when to go into mid-gear, etc., which results in an album that is very pleasant to listen to and enjoy. The compositions are correct as to have a varied album in its content, although of course, keeping in the described line, with a very portentous hymn atmosphere, as is the style of the genre. Beyond a guest keyboardist, Within Silence makes of its own formation, the musical base without resorting to other instruments or samplers. It is worth noting the great work the band has done in the studio.
To promote the album, the band released as a single or advance single the song “Battle Hymn”, which is present, but not the one that was released in 2023 (“Flame Of Peace”). Also, among the songs of this album, we find “Land Of Light”, which could easily be the album’s diffusion theme, although the band chose “Divine Power” with its catchy chorus, to promote this work. The song “Storyline” was excellent, a kind of ballad with a Hammerfall vibe, which pleased us very much. In “The Broken Thorn”, the expected speed appears, in one of the best songs of the album along with “The Mist”, another very nice song with its changing gears. For the last, “When Worlds Collide” with its 12 minutes of duration, turns out to be one of the most interesting pieces of the album, seeming to be connected musically and lyrically with the theme that gives title to this album.
So, “The Eclipse Of Worlds” is not only Within Silence’s third album, but it also implies a considerable advance in their musical proposal. It is not about originality, that is clear, but about quality, both in the compositions and in the general production of this work. Lyrically, the band moves with a message close to the cliché, with a positive message in general lines. Yes, the members of the band declare themselves to be Christians, but it is interesting in their lyrics, far from formulas already repeated in bands of this style.
What to say about this production. It is excellent in every way you look at it. The cover, although it is not very original in its concept, has great graphics, as well as the inside of the booklet, containing photos of the band members, lyrics and other technical data of this album. The sound result is very good, considering that the recording and production in general was in charge of Within Silence themselves, with the mixing by Matt Smith at Theocracized Studios and mastering at Hansen Studios by Jacob Hansen.
It remains to be seen if all this is enough to make Within Silence more than just a promise. With this third album, they score a few points to start being considered more seriously.
We recommend, as always, acquiring the physical version of this album, which was released on both CD and Vinyl, and for that you can try https://www.ulterium-records.com.
