ANIMAE SILENTES - ITALY

ANIMAE SILENTES - SUFFOCATED - SLIPTRICK RECORDS  
Suffocated is these Italians’ debut. A somewhat horror movie type instrumental intro gives way to Burning In Silence. The Kamelot influence is clear. Rock Ramon's voice is not that far from Tommy Karevik's. There is more anger here and Ramon does scream more as well. Pergatorium starts as a traditional heavy metal song and is generally a darker form of typical hard rock or grunge sound. Eville is next and is like hard rock Cure and Depeche Mode mixed with the aforementioned Kamelot! Nothing Else To Remind has power ballad credentials. Illusion is catchy and more upbeat. Save Me reminds of Kamelot yet again. Desperation Road interchanges acoustic and melodic moments with more anger and a good solo. Madman Town spends more time being heavy than not, relative to the songs before it at least. Lost In My Soul is melodic again, with a few hard rock elements. The title track closes these 42 minutes in a laid back and almost tired sounding mode. HIM fans may enjoy Suffocated as well though it is not all gothic or dark. – Anna Tergel