Silentium: Amortean

Considering that Silentium's origins date back to the mid nineties and that Amortean is the Finnish bands fifth album (which was actually released in early 2009), it would obviously be unfair to suggest that their blend of symphonic goth/dark metal is in any way bandwagon jumping. However even considering that vocalist Riina Rinkinen has a full rounded voice that avoids the operatics that are so prevalent in this genre now, there's little here that really sets Silentium apart from the crowd. The songs themselves do have a swooping grandeur that gathers you into the bombastic arrangements and Rinkinen's more natural vocal style certainly cuts through the mixture of guttural riffs, uplifting keys and atmospheric strings with a clarity that her high pitched peers would do well to take notice of. As expected bassist (it is always the bassist in this genre) Matti Aikio adds a more masculine grunt to counter balance the female voice and it is something that he does with enough presence to stand up to what is an extremely talented singer.

If you are a devotee of this genre then the likes of "Embrace The Storm" which combines a strident riff with some effective string arrangements and great staccato beats courtesy of Jari Ojala, the galloping Nightwish like "The Cradle Of The Nameless" where Rinkinen really shines, or the more refined "A Knife In The Back" will no doubt have you grinning from ear to ear. Unfortunately for the rest of us though, there just isn't quite enough individual character to much of Amortean to stop this being one of those albums that will only have you scurrying back to the releases that were at the forefront of this style of music in the first place. That said, closing track "La Fin Du Monde" does offer a glimpse of a side to Silnetium that is otherwise hidden away. The plaintive piano and vocal introduction slowly gives way to a quite beautiful passage of cinematic grandeur that actually is closer to Muse with a female singer than gothic metal. There are some more expected riffs that emerge from time to time in the seven minute workout, however things are kept interesting with floating, eerie vocals and an off kilter, almost drunk bass line that weaves in and out of sight. For an album that up to this point had appeared to be very easy to pigeon hole, it is a different and welcome finale that hints at something a little deeper and more challenging that may just make the sixth offering from Silentium something worth looking out for.

Track Listing
1. Leave The Fallen Behind
2. The Messenger
3. A Knife In The Back
4. The Fallen Ones With You Tonight
5. My Broken Angel
6. The Cradle Of Nameless
7. Storm Sight Solicitude
8. Embrace The Storm
9. La Fin Du Monde

Added: January 28th 2011
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: Silentium Official Web Site
Hits: 2723
Language: english

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