Reviewed by: Jeff de los Santos
My Silent Wake returns with their latest death/doom offering via Bombworks Records – Silver Under Midnight. Main man Ian Arkley (vocals, guitars, keyboards, percussion and bass) is joined again by Kate Hamilton (bass and dulcimer) and Mark Henry (drums). Plus, they’re joined by Esoteric’s Greg Chandler (guest vocals & keyboards) and Attrition’s Martin Bowes (narration on “My Killer”).
One thing that really stands out with this album is the more frequent use of clean vocals. In that sense, it sounds a bit like Century Sleeper while still maintaining the melancholic nature of My Silent Wake. As always with a My Silent Wake release, it’s the subtle things that really make the album memorable. Like the drumming in the song “The Last Man” where the beat has a familiar sound before it gets changed up to reveal something new. Both songs “Oblivion” and “My Killer” have another great MSW trademark – the use of some minor chords tossed into a heavy rhythm to bring in that feeling of doom and melancholy to what’s been laid down. “Third Season” is the last and longest track of the six vocal tracks (“Midnight” is the opening instrumental). The song clocks in at over 14 minutes. The way that the band slowly builds the song with familiar sounds that still sound completely new is always amazing. Ian’s vocals are so haunting – it really adds the perfect touch to to the album.
The album is currently out via Bombworks Records as well through the band. This is the second album released this year from the band. Bombworks Records recently re-released The Anatomy of Melancholy: The Reanimated Version and they’ll release later in the summer their acoustic album Preservation Restoration Reconstruction. The band will also be offering the acoustic album on vinyl. You can find more information about that release through their official webpage (listed below).
My Silent Wake just keeps releasing great death/doom that never gets old and always brings something new to the ears.
website// www.mysilentwake.co.uk
facebook// www.facebook.com/mysilentwake
rvrbnation// www.reverbnation.com/mysilentwake
More Album Reviews
MY SILENT WAKE: Oblivion