Band : Silent Resistance
Album title : A Thousand Voices
Label : Casket Music – Copro Records
Distributor : PHD – Bertus
Release date : 18/07/2011
Release : CD- EP (7 tracks)

If I read my info sources correctly, this Leicester (UK, not USA) Alternative Metal band was founded in May 2008 under the bandname Inspired By Lies in a line-up comprising already guitarists Alex Roddis and Jai Flannery, bassist Dan Slipper, drummer Danny Lodge, and a singer unknown to me at this point.

About a year later (or rather in September 2009), the band recruited current and more melodic singer Ryan Tailor to go hand in hand with the already existing heavy riffs and Hard Rock sound. A change of name seemed appropriate, and Silent Resistance was borne. In that new line-up the band did its first gig in November 2009, and since then...in little less than a year really...they managed to play support to the likes of Glamour To Kill, Sonic Syndicate, Panic Cell, Forever Never, and Yashin and appear at several local festivals as well as headlining the Oxjam Takeover “Heavy” Stage in support of Oxfam. The band also did a mini-tour of the UK, and filmed its first music video for the track “Echo”, in preparation of the promotion of their debut EP's release.

With such cited influences as Metallica, Avenged Sevenfold, Papa Roach, Coheed & Cambria, Foo Fighters, Lostprophets, Killswitch Engage, Forever Never, All That Remains, Alter Bridge, Michael Jackson, August Burns Red, Incubus, Funeral For A Friend, Bullet For My Valentine, Nickleback, Staind, and others, you would be correct in deducing that the band combines (catchy, sometimes even somewhat groovy) heavy riffs with melodic elements (actually, we already mentioned that, didn't we?) coming both from the well-chosen thrown-in lead guitar passages, and the vocals. There's still a roughness is part of the vocals though, as one of the other guys frequently gives Ryan rather screamed backings. But in the instrumental part of their music the band also dares to throw in some calmer passages, start off a song almost acoustically (like in the at (www.) myspace.com/silentresistance posted “Silent Resistance”), or even bring an overall calmer song (check “Demons (They Come For Me)” when you get a chance to). As for my personal assessment of this band's music? They sound a bit like Forever Never, but with a ruder edge, heavier, and definitely with less of the Progressive melody that is so typical of the latter.

Regretfully, you'll only find 2 full-length songs off this 6-song+intro EP at the band's MySpace page. The “Echo” video (and apparently also one for the aforementioned “Silent Resistance” - sorry, I may have forgotten to check) can be found at the band's ReverbNation page (see link also via their facebook). I'm not sure what the band's situation is at this very moment, but about a month ago the band was seeking a replacement for the recently departed Jai (having the capacity to perform some decent backing vocals would apparently be a plus). Interested parties, check with the band. I very much wonder what the band may become with a new second guitarist/ backing singer!

87/100

Tony.