EXTRACTS
(click title to view full review)
Theatre of Life
Metal Storm Webzine
Fragile, Theatre Of Life calls for you from the window of a rain-soaked cathedral as you silently meander by. Full of thick, doomy guitarwork within a gothic scenery, the band beckons us with promises of hope and the infinite. Vocalist Rachel Grech is softly melodious and crystalline in approach, while Allison Ellul's keys could light up any room with her encapsulating, delicate notes. With pensive bass lines and proud guitar riffs, Weeping Silence's latest album is like a curtain brushing against your face as you read a journal from five centuries in the past.
Global Metal Network
“Overall, 2011 marks the return of Malta's most loved Gothic Doom Metal band Weeping Silence, who unleash their sophomore album 'Theatre Of Life' to the masses and in sensational style ... this is definitely Maltese Metal album of the year." 8.5/10
Black Wind Metal Webzine
“Overall, WS’s sound is full, atmospheric, heavy, and evocative. It has everything in it that makes Gothic metal great: gloomy choir arrangements, powerful vocals, heavy guitars, dark imagery, and moody melodies. In fact, this is some of the best Gothic metal I’ve come across in quite some time .." 4/5
Sonic Catherdral
“...It’s the large sound that hits you between the eyes with this one,that focus on the symphonic that has traditionally been a part of the Gothic of much of Western Europe. … this should satisfy your need for solid Gothic metal, in every way possible.” 9.5/10
Melodic Hard Rock Today
“...Weeping Silence is a really good band and its really cool to follow the changes musically from album to album, and I already look forward to hear the next album!!” 96/100
Sea of Tranquillity
“...The musicianship, from excellent bass, lead guitar wonders, soothing and at times majestic keys, to precision percussion and drums, rises high throughout this album, making it one of the best released within this genre this year.” 4/5
Ravenheart Music
“WS are the very definition of a band who have paid their dues and deserve success. I along with a host of other reviewers were mightily impressed with ... 2008’s 'End of an Era', but this [2011] album sees them take it to the next level as they look to break out and take on the might of European gothic metal. ... There are eight multifaceted epics containing that unique mix of symphonic, gothic and prog rock/metal with the doom turned into a melancholic atmosphere as they swirl and sweep effortlessly between heavier and lighter, slower and livelier passages, but always with an anthemic chorus at their heart. ... This is an album that grows with every listen, gradually enveloping you in its warm embrace” 9.5/10
French Metal webzine
“The bass and guitar permeate a really special atmosphere in the music.” 16/20
doom-metal.com
“...the band have evolved a little and have changed their sound, as it includes more choirs, symphonic parts and some rockier elements … I find myself enchanted again by the Maltese band and if you don’t mind your Doom Metal mixed with gothic elements, then you’ll also feel the same. Take your headphones and enjoy”
Des Filles et des Riffs
“... the band is recognizable from the music, the atmospheric metal, rock, prog metal and symphonic metal. Everything is hovering, moving and very pleasant to listen ... as always! Rachel's singing there is also very good! The group remains true to itself, all the way since their beginning, to sound a bit doom/folk with a more gothic and symphonic tone ...” 15.5/20
Powerplay#134
“… With lots of keyboards, operatic vocals and heavy riffs, this should fit right in with the tastes of anyone into Nightwish or Epica. … when the band nail it they are absolutely excellent.” 6/10
End of an Era
Nocturnal
Euphony
“Many of the promos we get end up in a pile that are never
touched again after a few listens. This album I just found myself
picking up again and again.”
Femme
Metal
“The songs are heavy, while still having a dark, mournful
quality to them, some of the songs even feature violin …
End of an Era is a great debut release from this Maltese band.
Whatever you may thing of long epic songs, Weeping Silence are
a band that certainly put a lot of hard work and sincerity into
their debut and the length of the songs do nothing to hinder
the enjoyment of End of an Era it only enhances it.” 88/100
Melodic
Hard Rock Today
“… after receiving the album End of an Era, I have
listened many many times to this great band from Malta. The
music gets me into a good mood and has a substance and creativeness
that I miss from many bands today … each time I hear the
songs on this album the better they get! I can't hardly wait
to hear what they manage to create next time. So if you're looking
for something that stands out in the crowd of female fronted
bands you have to check out Weeping Silence!” 98/100
Sonic
Cathedral
“I’d love to have something this outstanding dedicated
to me when my time comes … this is music that can’t
be ignored. It’s not any one part of the package, the
vocals, the guitars, and the keyboards, that make it the outstanding
package that it is. Instead, it’s the total package, the
interaction between the components that bring about a first
rate work of symphonic gothic … What there is ... is some
of the finest gothic doom metal I’ve ever heard, by some
of the finest musicians I’ve ever heard.” 9/10
Ravenheart
Music
“Vocalist Rachel Grech has a truly magnificent voice,
a mix of Marcela Bovio and Sharon Den Adel. They have another
album in the can and are looking for a label; they deserve to
have companies beating down the door to sign them.” 8.5/10
Heavy
Metal Cosmos
The album lead by the ethereal vocals of Rachel Grech, is an
excellent sample of melancholic/atmospheric slow metal that
reminds intensely of The Gathering’s ‘Mandyllion’.
8/10
Sea
of Tranquillity
“This is a group that has a lot of promise. The record
company sent me a sample of their next album along with this
one and I can tell you now, I can't wait to hear it!”
4/5
Des
Filles et Des Riffs
“Weeping Silence nous propose un metal atmo planant et
mélancolique dans la lignée d'un The 3rd and the
mortal … Le chant féminin est magnifique et plein
d'émotions, avec un timbre et des mélodies qui
vous feront penser à The gathering ... Leur second album
sort bientôt et promet d'être tout aussi sublime...
donc à ne pas rater! A découvrir au plus vite!”
16/20
Behind
the Veil
“End of an Era is the name and doom metal is the game.
What impressed me from the start is the female vocals which
really create a dark gloomy atmosphere like the style of the
band demands, but also the power in some tracks with the heavy
guitars and the hard pounding drums which are really something!
The album consists of a total of forty three minutes which will
please everyone and will offer dark moments of listening.”
7/10
Babylon
Mag
“I nostri, evidentemente appassionati di doom anni '90
inglese ma seguaci anche di gothic metal sdolcinato sono fautori
di un genere piuttosto accessibile … e ricco di episodi
quasi ambient: basti ascoltare le estranianti intro e outro
'spiritiche' in stile Sopor Aeternus … in questo lavoro
la serenità è garantita da tappeti di tastiere
e dai vocalizzi della cantante, che sembrano rassicurare l'ascoltatore
portandolo lontano da questo mondo di tragedie su un percorso
lineare fatto di dolci melodie.” 7/10
Zware
Metalen
"It is undeniable that these people are fans of Within
Temptation ... The numbers show creativity, and the voice of
singer Rachel is different than that of Sharon, sometimes even
approaching that of Anneke van Giersbergen.” (translated
from Dutch) 73/100
The
Metal Observer
“Malta’s Weeping Silence come announced as Doom
Metal of the romantic side, I would say that very catchy Gothic
Metal with doomy note hits the nail on the head pretty well,
complete with violin and more or less fragile female vocals
… Best known member of the band is former Forsaken guitarist
Mario Ellul … The style … puts a lot more emphasis
on atmosphere than anything else, with lush keyboards preparing
the ground for the slow and measured Gothic Metal, where the
guitars are mostly used as rhythm instrument, while the keyboard
and violin take the lead more often than the six strings, which
in those instances are very unobtrusive … While listening
to this, I’ve come to the conclusion that Weeping Silence
could without problems stand between Within Temptation and After
Forever, as they undoubtedly have been strongly influenced at
least by the former.” 6.5/10
Negative-Existence
“Weeping Silence … exhibit a delectable charm and
class that keeps them a cut above the rest with their seemingly
gothic inspired branch of doom metal that incorporates a variety
of influences and divine instrumentation … The bass, which
is distinctly audible, the harmonious female vocals and the
exceptional keyboards which oddly contain the most emotive passages,
allowing the listener to sway along to this classically inspired
section, feeling every twist and turn of the divinity that pushes
through the hollow guitars … I’ll be interested
to see where they go from here.”
Sound.gr
“Ambient - Gothic, with incredible female vocals! …”
(translated from Geek)
Doom-metal.com
“… The compositions of the band reveal influences
from bands both inside the Doom genre as well as those playing
Symphonic Metal. I could describe their sound as close to that
of While Heaven Wept with many melodic, acoustic and progressive
parts, yet with a very subtle epic element. Also Weeping Silence
has many elements in common in the symphonic nature of their
songs with those of bands like Nightwish or Epica; that particular
side of the band is amplified by the fact that they use a female
vocalist who - without any exaggeration - is in the same league
of the vocalists of the aforementioned bands. I must also note
the fact that Weeping Silence do not only create music that
is beautiful but they are also able to write lyrics that could
stand independently as poetry. To me, the lyrics sound and feel
as an elegy to those that are left behind and their feelings
of rejection, abandonment and loss … I can't pick out
a song as better than the rest as all of them are on the same
level of quality; perhaps 'Darkness In My Heart' which is the
darker and most heavy song of the album will be the most appealing
song to most of you, but for the people who listen music with
headphones and low lights the entire album will keep them good
company for long time.”
Promo2009
(from Theatre of Life)
Femme
Metal
“Weeping Silence plays Symphonic Power Metal with Goth
and Doom undertones. In 2008, the band released their full-length
debut, "End of an Era", now Weeping Silence are back
with a new 4-song, 25-minute promo CD. The 4-songs contained
on the promo CD feature sweeping, epic arrangements and intricately
played musicianship. Rachel Grech leads the way with her strong
and clear vocal style. The opener, "Promises Broken"
begins with a heavy riff and develops into a mid-paced tempo
of an opener and immediately the full scope of this talented
band is on display. Lead vocalist, Rachel Grech has a nice range
as her vocals soar over the excellent musicianship. "Dark
Waters" and "Within White Walls" are exceptional
as well. The final track, "Innocent Cries" is over
7-minutes long and it brings the CD to a rousing conclusion.
I have never been familiar with Weeping Silence prior to hearing
this excellent promo CD, but now I am a fan. With their promo
CD, Weeping Silence combines all of the elements that I look
for in a band. I am sure that Weeping Silence will appeal to
fans of the Symphonic Power Metal genre …” 90/100
Des
Filles et Des Riffs
“This promo CD contains 4 tracks from the upcoming album
of Weeping Silence ... Note also that a 5th single from that
album will be available on the compilation ‘Des Filles
et Des Riffs’ Vol.1
I discovered the group with "End of an era" and had
been completely conquered by their enchanting music, full of
finesse and emotion ... The group continues its momentum with
a sweet and soaring atmospheric metal, based on the emotional
and the beautiful voice of the singer ... However, we note a
certain evolution, with titles a little more on the technical
side ... The band also adds a touch of symphonic orchestrations
through fairly discrete choirs. We salivate before the main
dish! Expected result!” 15.5/20 (translated from French)
Ravenheart
Music
“Weeping Silence from Malta is on the path to stardom.
This Demo consists of four tracks from their unreleased third
album 'Theatre of Life'. Vocalist Rachel Grech has a totally
awesome voice, which suits this style of music to the ground.
Track one, the 6+ minute 'Promises Broken' is technically brilliant,
with a great choral interlude too. 'Dark Waters' sends shivers
down my spine, with Rachel's vocals again the star here, although
I must say that the overall musicianship from all concerned
is nothing short of excellent. Again we have the use of choral
arrangements that gives the music that extra lift. 'Within White
Walls' is a slower number with an upbeat and catchy chorus,
while 'Innocent Cries' ends this great little demo, again using
choral arrangements to great effect. I like everything about
this little beast, a lot.” 9/10
Battle
Helm
“Wow, it seems almost implausible that the sun drenched
Mediterranean island of Malta could produce a dark, gothic metal
band - and a female fronted one to boot! But Weeping Silence
are indeed just that, having existed since the mid 90s and are
now on their 3rd album no less, from which the 4 songs are gleaned
from this promo CD. They're suitably lengthy clocking in around
6 mins a piece and feature the soprano vocals of Rachel Grech
complemented by the atmospheric, orchestral keyboards of Alison
Ellul and not forgetting the 4 dudes who ably back them and
add the 'heavy' dimension on songs like 'Promises Broken', 'Innocent
Cries' and the blissfully melancholic 'Within White Walls'.
Although probably unheard of internationally and being isolated
geographically, I have to commend the band for nonetheless showing
a real measure of maturity, perseverance and quality in their
work.”
The
Ship Magazine
“... con una certa fissazione per la musica neo-classica
e l’heavy piu melodico e orchestrale, sfornano un dischetto
che nulla a che vedere con la pomposità che ci si può
immaginare e con i deliri sinfonici di certe band dediti al
sound descritto. Opera complessa che svela tutta la sua bellezza
un po’ alla volta, con più di un ascolto, ma capace
di conficcare freddi spilli nel nostro cuore ... Promo piacevole
e per niente superfluo.” 70/100
Metallus
“Ormai sulla scena da diverso tempo, gli Weeping Silence
tornano a distanza di due anni con un terzo album, “Theater
Of Life”, anticipato da un promo di quattro canzoni. La
voce di Rachel Grech e le tastiere di Alison Ellul simboleggiano
a pieni voti lo stile gothic tipico della band ... Nel complesso
l'ep promette bene ...” 6.5/10
Metal
Worlds
“ ‘Promises Broken’ is a good forerunner,
airy and dark, where Rachel's voice evokes emotions in me similar
to Anneke Van Giesbergen ... ‘Dark Waters’ is more
rhythmic and lively, while ‘Within White Waters’
is a pseudo slowish metal, with striking tempo changes. The
closing track ‘Innocent Cries’, is a bit retro but
deep.” 6.5/10
Metal Wave
"...on my desk at Metal Wave is last year’s promo of the Maltese band Weeping Silence … I found it reassuring to hear influences of the genial The Gathering’s Mandylion, only in neo-classical and symphonic characteristics … from this "Promo CD 2009" we get a flavour of what they have in mind, that is moderately long songs, complex, fluid and made even a bit progressive, except that the band prefers the orchestral aspect … Music that is definitely appreciable, but go easy.” 67/100
