Kev Rowland Silent Voices was founded in 1995 by guitarist Timo Kauppinen, bassist Pasi Kauppinen, drummer Jukka-Pekka Koivisto and keyboardist Henrik Klingenberg. At the time their main influences were Dream Theater and Rush. A couple of years later the line-up was completed when Michael Henneken joined in on vocals. They may have had a break for a little while (six years since the last album) but they are now back with their fourth full-length release. Henrik and Pasi are also members of Sonata Arctica, and instead of replacing Michael (who left after the last album) they have instead brought in some guests to help them out, so vocals on this album are provided by Mats Levén (Therion, Yngwie Malmsteen), Tony Kakko (Sonata Arctica), Mike Vescera )Loudness, Yngwie Malmsteen, Obsession) and Mike DiMeo (Masterplan, Riot). To ensure that they got the sound right, it was mastered by Ted Jensen (Bon Jovi, Dream Theater, Megadeth).

The results is something that is progressive metal through and through, and will appeal to fans of both that genre and of those who want their metal to be melodic and hard hitting and may not normally think of prog as being their thing. The musical quartet behind this album have been playing together for years and it shows, as they trade runs and are tighter than a Mayan wall. The drum fills are wonderful, with real inventiveness that add to the overall sound without detracting from it, while Timo can surely shred with the best of them. Henrik has a very fluid style, moving between different sounds to get the best from each section of a song while Pasi can also take the lead when he wants to, but is often to be found at the back providing wonderful counterpoint to the main metallic proceedings.

Needless to say, with singers of this standard the overall result is nothing short of superb, and here we have a prog metal album that is probably more of the latter than the former, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing and here we have something that is hard hitting and fun throughout. If you haven’t come across this band before, and it has been a while since their last album to be fair, then you owe it to yours ears to get this now.

adg211288 Reveal the Change (2013) is the fourth full-length album by Finnish progressive metal act Silent Voices. The title comes across as being pretty apt to me, as Reveal the Change does indeed usher in a change within the band's previously pretty stable line-up, with vocalist Michael Henneken being replaced by Teemu Koskela (Winterborn). This is also their first album in quite some time, the last being Building up the Apathy (2006). Reveal the Change also includes guest appearances from several vocalists including Tony Kakko (Sonata Arctica) and Michael Vescera (Obsession).

The music on Reveal the Change paints a familiar picture even though this is my personal first experience with Silent Voices. This is progressive metal as you could fairly expect it to sound if you've familiar with a few bands already, particularly Dream Theater and the like, and while it does offer up a more accessible take on the genre than some, this isn't an album that's going to be breaking any moulds, though I will say that Silent Voices show off a better grasp on blending catchy and prog together than some other artists I've listened to. While they don't always let loose on the instrumental front and sometimes prefer a melodic laid back approach when they do get going it's all the more satisfying for it. This is especially evident in Reign of Terror, an early highlight, as well as the instrumental Black Water.

The sound is something of a surprise though, because I tend to see Silent Voices noted down as a progressive power metal act, and while there are a few power metal elements to be found during Reveal the Change, it's definitely a minority influence on the album. As far as progressive metal goes the album is more straight-forward with its ideas, meaning that at the end of the day it's a solid release but offers up nothing I haven't heard before from many a band in the genre. It's definitely worthwhile if this is the sort of sound you enjoy, in fact that it's not even far off hitting the higher rating levels. Ultimately though a great album tier rating is deserved.

84/100

(Originally written for Heavy Metal Haven: http://metaltube.freeforums.org/silent-voices-reveal-the-change-t3266.html)

Time Signature No turning back...

Genre: progressive metal

This album is marketed as a progressive metal release, whereas Silent Voices' previous output are typically characterized as power metal albums. This album is called "Reveal the Change", and it may reflect a change in musical direction - I really don't know, because I have never heard their previous releases.

Anyway, if "Reveal the Change" is progressive metal, then it is perhaps best described as progressive metal lite - or maybe just very accessible progressive metal. "Reveal the Change" is largely characterized by straightforward riffage and catchy vocal melodies. There are plenty of elements from more traditional heavy metal and hard rock, as well as some more stuff. I do not really detect a lot of power metal on this album ther than a cople of scattered power metal aesthetics every now and then. There are not that many quirks, twists and turns.

I would not say reject the "progressive" tag, however, for a number of reasons. If we ignore the very last track, it may take a couple of listens, but then the listener will probably realize that the progressive nature of this album lies in the details. Firstly, the use of keyboards is definitely akin to what you might hear in progressive metal, and seem mildly inspired by Dream Theater. Secondly, tracks are, while not epic, still considerably longer than your average rock song, and this does allow Silent Voices shape rather sophisticated compositions with elements tht should appeal to the seasoned progressive metal fan and the casual listener.

The last track 'Through My Prison Walls' is the progressive magnum opus of the album. With its 11 minutes worth of playing time, the song takes the listener out of prog lite territory into a more challenging landscape of epicness, unexpected changes, odd time signatures, advanced song dynamics and all the other good stuff that makes good progressive metal. If this last track is a sign of things to come for Silent Voices, then I am definitely going to start following this band.

In all, we are dealing with a generally quite accessible prog like album which should appeal to both more mainstream listeners and seasoned progressive metal fans. "Reveal the Change" is both accessible and sophisticated, and fans of progressive and melodic metal should defintiely check it out.