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Silver Lake: Silver Lake
Silver Lake album new music review

Silver Lake: Silver Lake

Melodic/Progressive Metal
4.0/5.0

First recordings for a band are often precarious, especially in the genre of (European) melodic/progressive metal. Yet, Italian newcomers Silver Lake succeed on their self-titled debut even though they are not necessarily bringing anything new to the table.

Silver Lake turns and succeeds on several well-developed elements. One is the sound arrangements which offer some complexity, but more often simply well-crafted melodic compositions with catchy hooks. Openers Before the Storm and Help Me to Fight the Rain revel in these characteristics. Even so, with this start, the listener may wonder if Silver Lake is truly on the metal side. With a heavier song like Life or Holy Affinity, Silver Lake blurs the thin line between melodic hard rock and metal.

Additionally, as another strong point, all songs evidence the equal and sterling participation from each musician, offering the balance to each arrangement. Holy Affinity and the title cut shine in this respect. Finally, vocalist Davide Bertozzi demonstrates real talent having impressive strength and range, with Life and Meet You Again two of his best performances. He's one of the best melodic metal vocalists I've heard in recent months.

Silver Lake is helped along by some strong support including Michelle Luppi (Vision Divine, Killing Touch, et al), Simone Mularoni (Empyrios, DGM), and Gabriele Ravaglia (Fear Studio). Also, Silver Lake includes a cover of Skid Row's Slave to the Grind giving it a more Euro power metal feel. In the end, for a first work, Silver Lake's debut is a well-crafted and entertaining work of melodic/progressive metal. There's real promise for the future.




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In Short

For a first work, Silver Lake's debut is a well-crafted and entertaining work of melodic/progressive metal. There's real promise for the future.

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