FRENZY FIRE
METAL & ROCK REVIEWS
Sonic Silence E.P.
The Unplugged Sessions Vol. 1
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Sonic Silence E.P. |
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The Unplugged Sessions Vol. 1 |
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| Kings Winter are a heavy metal band from Germany formed in 2018, releasing their debut E.P. 'Forging The Cataclysm' in 2019, and their full length debut album 'Edge Of Existence' in 2021. A second E.P. 'Sonic Silence - The Unplugged Sessions Vol. 1' emerged in 2022... | ||||||
| ...and comes just nine months after the bands glorious ride, the nine song long 'Edge Of Existence'. Nine months eh! Hmm, does this mean the album was such a success it celebrated with a bit of how's-your-father! And 'Sonic Silence' is the albums firstborn! Well I did comment in my review of 'Edge Of Existence', "I don't know what's in the water in Konigswinter" - Konigswinter being the home of the album. So I guess anything's possible...! | ||||||
| The new E.P. was inspired by an unplugged session the band recorded during the first coronavirus lockdown of 2020 - with 'Sonic Silence' featuring five rearranged and re-recorded versions of songs that appear on both of the bands previous releases. Guitarist Tobias Dahs comments "ever since I first saw Nirvana's 'MTV Unplugged in New York' in early 2000, I always wanted to try to transfer the electrically amplified songs of my band into a purely acoustic setting". Lead singer Jule Dahs adds "the unplugged arrangements were a new challenge for the vocals too, but thanks to the reduced instrumentation I was able to try out a lot of new things, and give the vocals a fresh twist". | ||||||
| Okay, before I continue, I just need to re-familiarise myself with the five songs that are featured on the E.P. as they sound in their original form. So don't go away - I'll be back in a mo... | ||||||
| ..."some time later"... | ||||||
| ...okay, 'Forging The Cataclysm', a hard rocking groove metaller from the bands debut E.P. is shortened by half a minute, the vocals kicking in right from the off. The vocals - more powerful and passionate than the original, the lack of a pounding rhythm allowing Jule's soaring voice to take centre stage. There hasn't been many bands over the years willing to strip their music bare like this, some have for a B-side to a single, or as an album bonus for a special edition release. But these are normally limited to just the one song. And performances like Tobias mentioned, the 'MTV Unplugged' series, were not necessarily the bands choice to do. So kudos Kings Winter for choosing to do something that's not the norm, baring your music's soul and letting it fly free. | ||||||
| For free is how it sounds - free of the electric charge, free of the metal image, and free to engage a different audience, an audience that wouldn't normally listen to the original metal versions, but will listen to the rearranged acoustic ones. The anthemic metal style of 'Kingdom Of The Blind' becomes an incredible power ballad, the lyrics no longer required to be sung in the normal heavy metal way. I remarked in my previous review, of the amazing range Jule has - methinks it is actually wider than my first impressions thought. And also, I just wonder how difficult it is for Tobias to maintain the calm guitar work and not suddenly break out into a searing guitar shred! I know I wouldn't be able to resist...which is probably one of reasons I'm not a musician. | ||||||
| 'Crusaders Of Today', a traditional "foot on the monitor" gallop, remains surprisingly up tempo in its re-worked acoustic version. And to be honest, it is still head bang-able - maybe not to the extent of the frenzied excitement of a mosh pit, but definitely the head nodding appreciative style. And don't be surprised if your feet start tapping away as well, the infectious level of the rearranged 'Crusaders Of Today' is immensely high. The tension filled atmospheric nature of the original 'The Next In Line' - dealing with equality for all skin colours - was a barnstorming mid tempo stomp of heavy hitting proportions with an incredible vocal performance. And for the rearranged version, Jule's vocals are even better. Her voice soaring higher than ever, reaching the angels sat on clouds, maybe even further. The impact of the original was immense, with the impact of the acoustic version immeasurable. | ||||||
| The emphatic thunder of 'The Grand Delusion' has long abated, with a serenity descending for this new version. The reined in energy can be felt as it tries to break free, but Tobias and Jule, working as gatekeepers, keep it successfully under lock and key. And that brings the E.P. to a close, an E.P. of sparkling revelations, of insights into the minds of musicians willing to broaden their musical horizons, and go beyond what is expected of them just because they play heavy metal. And with the title of the E.P. confirming "Vol. 1" - the expectation is for more volumes to follow. How many, I don't know. But Kings Winter are a young band with a promising long career ahead of them, so we'll just have to wait and see. | ||||||
| Overall, an interesting and impressive conversion of heavy metal songs into elegant acoustic versions. | ||||||
| Review by Iron Mathew Collins | ||||||
| Reviewed for Kings Winter | ||||||
| Review is also featured at Metal-Roos | ||||||
| Other Reviews | ||||||
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| Edge Of Existence | ||||||
| "a glorious ride through many styles of heavy metal, Kings Winter deliver a glorious variety for a wide array of fans to enjoy" Read Review | ||||||
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| The Other Side Of Fear | ||||||
| "a superb album of infectious and incredibly attractive heavy metal, highly melodious, and immensely head bang-able" Read Review | ||||||
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