Our subject today is Dormant, the new album from Silent Skies duo, made of Tom S. Englund (Evergrey) and pianist / film score composer Vikram Shankar.
Dormant was released on September 1st, 2023 from Napalm Records. Following the duo’s successful 2020 Satellites and 2022 Nectar albums, Dormant is a poignant, beautiful and surprising work shining with the modest glare of a precious gem, which brings together the Scandinavian melancholy, Shankar’s atmospheric piano and Englund’s powerful and touching vocals.
(Englund & Shankar)
Thinking about this year’s rock / metal albums released so far, Dormant has been one of the works that impressed me the most, along with Steven Wilson’s Harmony Codex and Sleep Token’s Take Me Back To Eden. (Not forgetting to mention Depeche Mode’s beautiful lament, Memento Mori, though in synth-pop electronica genre).
I strongly recommend you listen to Dormant, to this magnificent, cinematic, touching and elegant sonic art rock journey that Englund and Shankar are taking us on. The album includes 10 new tracks and 3 unique covers: The Trooper (Iron Maiden), Numb (Linkin Park) and Dancing in The Dark (Bruce Springsteen). Iron Maiden’s famous “The Trooper” is an unexpected version, fresh and powerful. This classic heavy metal song was cast in a completely different mold by the art rock duo, leaving me with the thought of two unusual and wonderful Metallica covers; one being “Of Wolf and Man” by Goodnight, Texas and the other “Sad But True” by Sam Fender. As I have mentioned in several Metal Oda reviews and articles so far, creative covers which deconstruct and skilfully re-build and re-invent the original are always my favorites. This is where you perceive the true genius and dexterity of the musician.
In Dormant, Silent Skies is accompanied by a familiar name, Raphael Weinroth-Browne, the heavy metal cellist who has been working with the duo for about five years now. One of Metal Oda’s favourite cello artists with his remarkable solo works and other successful collaborations (i.e. Leprous and Apocalyptica) Browne was entrusted with the cello parts of the tracks in Dormant. I find that the introduction of this magical cello layer added to the melancholy and sadness already present in Dormant. “New Life” from the album, stands out as the perfect example of the sublime meeting of piano and cello. You may find a candid interview with Raphael Weinroth-Browne on You Tube Metal Oda to discover more on his music and his projects.
(Raphael Weinroth-Browne)
My favorite tracks from Dormant have been Construct as a powerful opening track which sets the tone; New Life; the saddest possible Trooper; Numb which fathoms the depths of melancholy, Reset with its crescendo structure and Dormant with its ethereal setting.
Don’t miss Silent Skies’ new album Dormant, with its ambient atmosphere and its poppy touch, here and there reminiscent of Peter Gabriel and the 80s, with its delicately woven art rock and progressive structures. While the name of the album gives you the impression of a deep sleep or hibernation, Dormant sounds fresh and yet very modern just like an awakening. Chic, haunting and beautiful, Dormant is one of the best works of the year in the rock / metal scene.
Let Dormant keep you company on a long car journey while you drive and savour the immense landscapes which set the background to this divine music. Dormant by Silent Skies is sure to heal your soul as we dive into the beautiful darkness of autumn.
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