Unsilence - Under a torn sky

Unsilence is a band from the UK which was formed back in 1993. After some mini albums and an so far unreleased album „Under a torn sky“ marks the bands first real output, so we can talk about a debut now. The only original member who is still in the band is guitarist Kieron Tuohey and the band call their music epic doom metal. Doom Metal means emotions and patience. So let's have a look if Unsilence can reach this with their first full length release.

„The Last Day“ starts directly with double layed vocals surrounded by heavy guitar riffing. Deep played like it has to be in real doom metal. The voice is clear and elegian and in some parts performed very high. The guitars remember me sometimes to the 80's US Metalband called Griffin, if someone knows them. Also some hidden viking metal vibes can be heard. A very good 7 minute opener on high level. Yes, this is very epic. No guitar solo, no breaks, only heavy riffing and elegian vocals. „The Burning Midnight“ opens with a riff sequence, deep and dark. Slow vocals appear, the instruments talking heaviness all the time. A kind of short guitar solo in this track again shows parallels to Griffin. Another one to follow later. This is a shorter song but it continues the epic style and the impression of sorrow and pain. „Transfiguration“ starts with riffs and some acoustic guitar elements that come again and are used as song breaks. Vocalist James Kilmurray celebrates his suffering from life very emotional and so this song lives from his vocals. The guitar parts are more variable than in the songs before. For me the best track so far, a lot more facettes to explore than in the first two songs. The band is not changing their style for any moment, but the picture is painted in different grey colours here. Time to climb the „Barricade“. Elegian and sad guitar part in the beginning. A real hookline before the balladesque vocals set in. Very slow. If there was never a doom ballad...here is one. The guitars are crying tears so they have to change in acoustics sometimes. I think we are standing on a hill and only a barricade will not let us jump. Definetely not a song to heal your sorrows. You should be better in a good mood if you listen to this song. Depressive, sad....and gone. More acoustic guitars at the beginning of „Echoes awaken“. Will we not find our way out of our depression? Seems that the last song continues here. Wonderful vocals of Kilmurray. In the middle the song changes into heavy riffing again. So we can breathe again and feel a little bit happier. But we are still far away from happiness. Next another longer track. „Of what may become“ starts like a game between bass and acoustic guitars. Soon the electric kind of the axe wants to take part. The well known riffing and vocal performance take over and brings the song to pure doom metal. Filled with tons of heaviness the song fades out with a twin vocal part and is getting slower in the end. Acoustic guitars and drums stop it. Also acoustic start in „The hour of arrival“. Soon the song moves to a duel between elegian vocals and heavy guitars. I can even find out some harmonies in the guitar play. But...nothing new in this song. A band that came in my mind if I heard this song was Saviour Machine. Not the lyrics, but the music is near to that band...but this is only my personal opinion. Anyway....deep, doom, epic. „Winds of enlightenment“ finish the album. The longest track with it's 9 minutes. Viking metal start, but slower played. James Kilmurray shows us all his talent. From deep, dark to high vocals. Ups and downs, from left to right and back. The guitars try to get deeper into the darkness, but they reached the border. A longer guitar solo in this track and also some background keys appear. In the end the song is getting slower and a great short vocal part ends the album.

Unsilence is a band that do not have to hide behind the established doom bands like Candlemass, While Heavens Wept or Mirror of Deception. Their music is epic and emotional. The voice of James Kilmurray is definetely perfect for this kind of music and the musicians know how to play.

Like I said, I even found out some viking metal elements and some parts near to the old 80's band Griffin in the music of Unsilence. If this is enough to reach the next step after 15 years of existence we will see in the future. Good album that can be bought from doom fans without any doubt.

Points:  7/10

review by Kerb

Learn more about this band (click here)