REVIEW: THE SILENT RAGE - Harvester of Souls EP

 

THE SILENT RAGE - Harvester of Souls EP (2011)

Independent

Two years after their self-titled EP, Athens-based THE SILENT RAGE return with a new release, presenting a refreshed and now stable line-up. With Harvester of Souls, the band aims to offer a clearer picture of its musical identity, demonstrating both its compositional abilities and its potential within the melodic heavy/power metal genre.

The EP features five tracks, including three older compositions that have been re-recorded and rearranged, alongside two new songs. Unfortunately, I cannot make a direct comparison with the original versions, as I haven't had the opportunity to listen to them. Nevertheless, the material presented here stands firmly on its own merits and offers a good introduction to the band's sound.

THE SILENT RAGE play melodic heavy/power metal, with a strong emphasis on memorable melodies, well-crafted guitar solos and expressive lead work. These are undoubtedly some of the band's strongest assets, while the passionate vocal performance adds further character and intensity to the compositions. The rhythm section provides a solid and dependable foundation, maintaining the necessary drive and consistency while allowing the guitars to take the lead and develop their melodic ideas. There is a good balance between the heavier passages and the more melodic elements, giving the songs a sense of direction without sacrificing their metal edge.

Another positive aspect is the overall execution. Harvester of Souls sounds like a carefully prepared effort, with the musicians demonstrating confidence in their performances and a clear understanding of the musical direction they want to follow. The result is a professional-sounding release that combines musical ability, enthusiasm and compositional creativity. It is evident that considerable work and determination have gone into this EP, allowing the band's talent to come through without unnecessary embellishments.

I believe that more bands like THE SILENT RAGE are exactly what the Greek metal scene needs. There is plenty of talent and dedication within our country's underground, and releases of this quality can help challenge some of the prejudices that metal fans abroad may still hold towards the Greek scene. Of course, such perceptions are not always entirely unjustified, but the only way to change them is through consistent work and strong musical output.

THE SILENT RAGE have made a very positive impression with Harvester of Souls, and this is an effort that deserves the attention and support of every fan of melodic heavy and power metal. Support the band and give this EP a chance. I believe you won't regret it!

Nick Parastatidis

REVIEW: BON JOVI, 7800° Fahrenheit

 

BON JOVI, 7800° Fahrenheit (1985)

Mercury

Γιάννη μου, το μαλλί σου θέλει λακ

Το δεύτερο άλμπουμ των Bon Jovi από το όμορφο New Jersey, ένα χρόνο μετά το ομότιτλο ντεμπούτο τους. Η φωτογραφία στο οπισθόφυλλο τα λέει όλα: Richie Sambora, David Bryan, Alec John Such, Tico Torres και βεβαίως «το αφεντικό ο ίδιος» του μαγαζιού, ο καθένας με τούφες στα μαλλιά και τίγκα σε ένα κουτί λακ! Hair metal, όπως καταλαβαίνεις κι από το έξυπνο εξώφυλλο του δίσκου: εύπεπτα riff, βαριά μέχρι ενός σημείου, καλός ρυθμός. Ακόμα δεν έχει γίνει το μεγάλο μπαμ (να γίνουν όλα γης Μαδιάμ), αλλά είναι ένα κλασικό καλό δεύτερο άλμπουμ μιας καλολαδωμένης μουσικής μηχανής.

Από τα δέκα κομμάτια του ανέχομαι τα έξι-εφτά και τα αναγνωρίζω ως μεγάλες συνθέσεις. Τα In and Out of Love, The Price of Love (πολύ αγαπούλας ο Γιάννης), Only Lonely, King of the Mountain, Silent Night, Tokyo Road, Always Run to You και The Hardest Part Is the Night είναι οι κορυφαίες στιγμές ενός δίσκου με περίσσια μελωδία. Τόση, που επηρέασε μια ολόκληρη εποχή, αλλά και άλλους που ανέβηκαν στο τρένο του glam rock για να αρπάξουν την ευκαιρία, όπως κι αυτοί.

Έναν χρόνο αργότερα θα γίνει και το μπαμ που λέγαμε πριν, κι έτσι «η αγάπη θα αποκτήσει κακό όνομα» για το συγκρότημα...

English:

Johnny, Your Hair Needs Hairspray

Bon Jovi’s second album, from the lovely state of New Jersey, arrived a year after their self-titled debut. The photo on the back cover says it all: Richie Sambora, David Bryan, Alec John Such, Tico Torres and, of course, “the boss himself,” each one sporting a mane of teased tufts and a can’s worth of hairspray! This is hair metal, as you can tell from the clever cover art: easy-listening riffs, heavy up to a point, a solid groove. The big bang hasn’t happened yet (the whole world is about to go up in flames, as the saying goes), but it’s a classic, good second album from a well-oiled musical machine.

Of its ten tracks, I can put up with six or seven, and I recognize them as great compositions. In and Out of Love, The Price of Love (Johnny sure is a lover boy), Only Lonely, King of the Mountain, Silent Night, Tokyo Road, Always Run to You and The Hardest Part Is the Night are the high points of a record overflowing with melody. So much so that it shaped an entire era, and also influenced others who hopped aboard the glam rock train to seize the opportunity, just as they did.

A year later, the big bang I mentioned earlier would arrive, and that’s when “love would get a bad name” for the band...

Τάκης "Ε-Μortal One" Γιώτης