My Silent Wake returns with a brand new album entitled
Silver Under Midnight. Following a re-issue of their classic opus The Anatomy
of Melancholy, available through Bombworks, MSW delivers a release of brand new
skull crushing material.
It should also be mentioned that a vinyl only release of
their acoustic material was also produced, it’s a limited run so if you don’t
already have a copy chances are slim that you’d find one. However it’s
entitled, Acoustic Collection; good luck!
Back to the release at hand, Silver Under Midnight finds MSW
in fine form. In the studio this time MSW consists of Ian Arkley providing
brutal and clean vocals, guitar chaos, occasional keyboards, plus assorted
percussion and bass guitar. Kate Hamilton provides bass and the traditional
dulcimer. Mark Henry delivers the powerful back beats of the drums and the
carnage of powerful percussion.
Silver Under Midnight is an album that defines
atmosphere and mood. Starting with a brief intro that lasts under two minutes
full of those folkish overtones that sets a startling medieval period,
Midnight. It gives way to the full force of the imposing Destroyer, a track
that imposes its will upon you with several mood changes while it crushes you
with its Sabbath inspired riff.
Oblivion comes at you with it’s over whelming groove and sledgehammer
timing. Ian’s brutal vocal delivery is in top form as it cuts through the
musical carnage. The tempo is almost reminiscent
of early Seventh Angel. A pile driver has as much subtlety but that is one of
the brilliant things about MSW, they can come at you with a locomotive and
suddenly shift gears into silent dark foreboding encampment such as you’d find
in a desolate forest.
Wars and The Last Man share this same ultra heaviness.
Pounding doom and gothic metal that offers some heavy riffage while turning
your brain into mush. Album closer Third Season moves through many atmospheric
changes without losing any of its heaviness or sense of danger. Clocking in at
over 14 minutes, this epic shines and demands an instant replay. No really.
The production is top flight and really from MSW I expect no
less. The instruments have great clarity and definition without a huge loss in
dynamics. These purveyors of gothic doom have seemingly mastered their art in
the studio.
My Silent Wake again has delivered an exceptional piece of
musical art. Making observations of the human condition without offering the
simple trite response that so many do.
2013 has been the year of My Silent Wake and Silver Under Midnight
should solidify that statement. Grab a copy.
9 axes
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