"Who is the Fool?", the opening song on Silent Fall's album Otherwise contains more genres within one song than my ears have experienced in a while. The lead vocal comes in sounding a little like Avenged Sevenfold's M Shadows, but somehow segues into something more like Tony Hadley of Spandau Ballet. There are synths aplenty - including both the deep organ-like 'aaah' sound of power metal keyboards, and the cheery Moog-esque synth solo often heard in Californian punk rock. The guitars and drums don't know whether they belong in Dragonforce or Paramore. First impressions - Silent Fall are definitely intriguing.

Otherwise is the debut album from this French six piece, released under Cyprus based label Pitch Black Records. As is the case with many power metal bands, most of the songs on Otherwise are on the lengthy side, on average clocking in around 4-5 minutes. However, their blend of melodic and symphonic death metal keeps the sound constantly varying so that the longer songs are never a chore to listen to.

"Forever and Ever" could have been plucked straight from a DragonForce record, while at only just over 3 minutes long, is something of a quick romp in the speed-metal hay. It's followed by "One Cold Winter Night," a down-tempo number which provides a much appreciated break from the frantic greatness of the songs preceding it. The soothing sounds of the chorus of backing vocals lulls the listener into a state of semi-peace, until the chug-chug-chug of the guitars in the next song "I Wish" push the album forward into Epic Mode, with a rhythmic backing that conjures imagery of knights riding horses into a medieval battle.

On the whole, this record covers aspects from so many styles of rock that it truly has something to appeal to just about any audience. From beginning to end, it just doesn't cease being unremittingly entertaining. With this album, Silent Fall are presenting traditional metal, but they manage to make it exciting, fun, and really just quite brilliant.  [ END ]

Track Listing:

01. Who is the fool?

02. Kill for life

03. Haunted Sights

04. Forever and Ever

05. One cold winter night

06. I wish

07. Play with Fire

08. World of Secrets

09. This could have been

10. Tears of Fate

11. On the top of the world

12. Heroes (CD bonus track)
13. Who is the fool? (Black version) – CD digital bonus

Running time: 1:05:08
Release Date: 02.02.2010