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Circle of Silence: The Rise of Resistance

Heavy/Power/Thrash Metal

3.5/5.0

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Massacre Records
by Craig Hartranft,  06.19.2013

Returning with their fourth album, The Rise of Resistance, Germany's Circle of Silence seems a bit schizophrenic, not being sure if they want to be a traditional power metal band or a more modern thrash metal band. They may want the best and worst of both worlds, the power and melody of the former and the direct harshness of the latter.

Circle of Silence:: not so quiet.

If anything it's an interesting mix and, while it's not always that entertaining, it certainly keeps you guessing. From the start with Blood of Enemies and Eyes of Anarchy you get that modern metal, especially with the near hardcore vocals on the first. Other examples include In the Absence of Your God or We Rise, with that heavier, harsher, modern thrash sound. It comes mostly in the combination of the the angry vocals and the blistering riffage.

But weaving it's impressive and important thread is melodic and harmonic guitar leads. This element alone raises The Rise of Resistance to a level most modern metal bands will never reach. It's also the thread that makes the album believable, authentic, heavy metal, making the swings to current metal nuances quite bearable. When it works well together it works best as on Nothing Shall Remain, An Oncoming Storm, or the powerful Slave to the Greed Machine, where vocalist Niklas Keim tones down grinding anger. Label promotional material wants to compare this album to Iced Earth, Savatage, or Germany's own Brainstorm, but that's an illusion. Fundamentally, The Rise of Resistance is traditional heavier power metal made edgier by modern metal harsh nuances. Listen for yourself below, and form your own opinion.

Circle of Silence - The Rise of Resistance: Listen, then Buy

Note: All Amazon advertising in this review first benefits the artist, then Craig Hartranft also receives a residual. Click, and thanks for your support.

Circle of Silence's The Rise of Resistance is traditional heavier power metal made edgier by modern metal harsh nuances. Listen for yourself below.

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Here's a fun fact about Swiss legends, Gotthard: their last 16 releases, excepting their debut album, went to number one in their home country, making them one of Switzerland's most successful acts and ... [ Read More ]