SILENT FORCE -

SILENT FORCE - WALK THE EARTH - AFM  
The much heralded DC Cooper and Alex Beyrodt are back for another crack at the European power metal market. Almost immediately the opener Man And Machine sees Silent Force attempting to remain heavy metal while incorporating the melodic and progressive elements of their many fellow continental colleagues. Walk The Earth with its keyboard laden start chugs along and is too slow, melodic and non-metal at times. In Point Of No Return Alex does his best guitar hero and Yngwie impression and continues it on the likes of The Child Within. All of which, while very proficient, can and does disrupt songs and in particular any structure they may have developed. Song after song the melodic moments outshine the true heavy metal that is implicitly and explicitly promised. If any expectations exist before listening to Walk The Earth they are likely to be dashed by what is heard here, nevertheless this is an average release with above average musicianship. - Anna Tergel