Age of Silence: Complications-Trilogy of Intricacy (EP)

Age of Silence's follow up to their debut Acceleration is a 3 song EP that touches on a myriad of musical styles and only briefly reveals the budding genius that is starting to reveal itself in this band. Comprised of Lazare (Bjorknagar, Solefald) on vocals, Eikind (Khold, Tulus) on bass, Hellhammer (Mayhem, Emperor, Acturus, Winds) on drums, Andy Winter (Winds) on keyboards, Kobbergaard & Extant (By Pale Light) on guitars, this is a virtual extreme metal supergroup, except that the music on Complications-Trilogy of Intricacy is anything but extreme. Sure that are some heavy guitars and blistering rhythms, but the influence of progressive rock, psychedelia, and avant-garde plays a huge role here. Think of black metal without the screeching vocals, and with less emphasis on brutal guitar riffery, and you get an idea of what Age of Silence sounds like. Lazare's vocals have an almost Pink Floyd quality to them, and combined with the textured keyboard work from Winter give the music a strong prog rock feel, and while it is fairly heavy, especially on "Vouchers, Coupons, and the End of the Shopping Session", this is music that will and should appeal more to the progressive rock crowd as opposed to the balck metal camp. And yes, as you can imagine, the lyrics to this EP center around, you guessed it, shopping. So, if you love to frequent Malls, use your credit cards to buy goodies of all sorts, then the lyrics to these three tracks should be of interest. I will give Age of Silence one thing, I don't think I have ever heard of a prog or metal album themed around the idea of shopping, so I have to give them props there.

If you dug Acceleration, this will be a no-brainer, although the short running time will leave you wanting more. It's all highly melodic, with moments of lush beauty, plenty of symphonic arrangements, and some heavy thunder. Let's hope the band puts together another full-length CD soon.

Track Listing
1) The Idea of Independence and the Reason Why It's Austers
2) Mr. M, Man of Muzak
3) Vouchers, Coupons, and the End of the Shopping Session

Added: October 28th 2005
Reviewer: Pete Pardo
Score:
Related Link: Age of Silence Website
Hits: 2788
Language: english

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