Silver Lake - Silver Lake

I am always happy to discover new bands especially when they come from a genre that, in my opinion is facing extinction due to its tendency to be sounding “evolving” and “Complicated” in order to be innovative. Sadly this had as a result to drift far from what it would label it as metal.
\r\nFurtunately there are bands like Silver Lake who seem to put things back in order with their self titled first album.
\r\nSilver Lake are here to deliver melodic progressive metal and by the term “progressive” I don’t mean all that complicated sound with a lot of rhythm changes and that show off attitude of extremely perfect performance resulting in a chaotic vortex of sounds that some miscall progressive metal. These guys are far from that sound and the 8 compositions (seven including a cover song) of the album are here to prove that. These guys, clearly influenced by the masters, are delivering their songs the way Dream Theater, Shadow Gallery and even Royal Hunt used to do back in the day!
\r\nThat makes the compositions not only interesting but also memorable with a lot of melodic lines and some really impressive, but essential solos revealing the member’s performing skills but not at the cost of the songs. The production sounds great and so is Davide Bertozzi’s vocals that although open to improvement, they give character to the songs balancing the lack of experience with the passionate singing.
\r\nThe songs that really stand out after the first listening are “Help Me To Fight The Rain”, “Holy Affinity” along with the stunning “Life” that would make many fans of the genre recall the glorious past of Progressive metal. Another advantage is the band’s cover choice on Skid Row’s classic “Slave To The Grind”, I didn’t see that coming. I don’t know about you but I get the feeling that, as far as music is concerned, things are getting back on track and as long as bands like Silver Lake keep up the good work the long suffered genre might stand a chance.
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\r\nDimitris Karantounias\r\n