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Walk Through Hell
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Walk Through Hell |
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| Circle Of Silence are a power metal band from Germany formed in 2006, following in the footsteps of a long line of power metal bands to emerge from Germany - highly regarded as the pioneering power metal country. Circle Of Silence have shared a stage with some of the greatest power metal bands ever, such as Rage, Powerwolf and Grave Digger, just to mention a few. The band have released four albums to date - 'The Blackened Halo' (2011), 'The Rise Of Resistance' (2013), 'The Crimson Throne' (2018), and 'Walk Through Hell' released in 2022... | ||||||
| ...featuring thirteen songs of heavy/power metal across a one hour playing time. The bands fourth full length is also darker and much heavier than previous albums - with a little fear and menace thrown in for good measure. Opening with the sub one minute intro 'Down To Hell', Circle Of Silence set a menacing tone for what is to come - the heavy fire and brimstone thunder of 'Prisoner Of Time'. Full of energy and oomph, 'Prisoner Of Time' is a slice of face melting power metal with thrashy overtones. Countrymen Rage pioneered and perfected the power metal come thrash metal style of music, with Circle Of Silence emulating the German legends. Title song 'Walk Through Hell' maintains the albums electrifying start - adding more energy, more oomph, and a tad more melodious intent. The opening double may be heavy and thunderous, but both have been highly melodic and infectious. | ||||||
| At over six minutes in length, 'United' is the longest song on offer, and picks up the tempo, hurtling forth at a much quicker pace than either of the two previous songs. And it's heavier too, Circle Of Silence showing their thrashier side, as 'United' forges a savage path across the land screaming "listen to me"! And listen you will, for the metal on show is fucking terrific - 'United' not letting up from start to finish. 'I Am Fear' replaces blistering pace with a more traditional "foot on the monitor" feel, but relaxing none of the crushing intensity the band has instilled in their latest release. And as 'I Am Fear' progresses, there are gear changes and tempo shifts aplenty. With a doubling of thunderous intent, 'At War With Yourself' is a pummelling rampage of power driven heavy metal ala Judas Priest. The unrelenting energy and oomph is absolutely incredible, the band delivering one of the most direct and in your face albums of the year - 'Walk Through Hell' (the album) grabbing your attention from the off and never letting go. | ||||||
| And for the first time since the album began, Circle Of Silence impose a short passage of mellow and serene ramblings - just for the intro to 'Triumph Over Tragedy' though! 'Cause thunder returns in the shape of a mighty foot stomp, 'Triumph Over Tragedy' adopting the anthemic style of metal as it marches on majestically. Bands such as Manowar, Powerwolf, and Sabaton spring immediately to mind as 'Triumph Over Tragedy' flows through the ears, infecting every sense the body has with an overwhelming feeling of pleasure! Maintaining the anthemic style, 'I Want More' is a heavier and much meatier anthem than 'Triumph Over Tragedy'. The pounding rhythm is gorgeous, and will make you fall in love with 'I Want More', as well as the album as a whole. The first eight songs have been emphatically relentless, sweeping everything aside and demanding your full attention. And by crikey, what a guitar sound 'The Curse' has! Strains of the iconic NWOBHM fills the air, the band adopting an Alice Cooper like vibe, especially as the first line is "welcome to my nightmare". Classic! | ||||||
| Becoming the most thrashy offering on the album, 'Far Beyond The Sun' is very boisterous as it opens and stretches its legs. The pace, the pummelling, the pounding - all equally emphatic as the band roar very loudly, yet maintain the incredible (and unbroken) melodious streak that runs all the way through the album. Circle Of Silence are on fucking fire, as 'God Is A Machine' returns the mighty foot stomping anthemic style of earlier - with added oomph and bombast! 'God Is A Machine' is surely gonna go down a storm live - with the crowd going wild for the best of the anthmeic offerings Circle Of Silence have served up. The galloping style of traditional metal takes front and centre with 'This Is War' forging a fiery path of infectious and head bang-able to the max metal! And with the final song looming large over the horizon, Circle Of Silence have been unrelenting in their intensity - the album a definite contender for Album Of The Year. 'Fire' brings the curtain down on a great album by bringing forth an urgency and intent full of power and aggression. And as 'Fire' hurtles to its conclusion, the overwhelming inclination is to press replay and listen again - 'cause 'Walk Through Hell' (the album) is fucking great. | ||||||
| Overall, a superb album of intense and infectious power come thrash metal with an immense melodic streak. | ||||||
| Review by Iron Mathew Collins | ||||||
| Reviewed for Metal Gods TV | ||||||
| Review is also featured at Metal-Roos | ||||||
| Other Reviews | ||||||
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| The Crimson Throne | ||||||
| "Circle Of Silence have delivered a breath taking and head bangingly addictive album of highly energetic and ferocious power metal" Read Review | ||||||
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