LOST IN LIFE

I thought it was a debut record of an obscure American band! Dunno why I had such feelings before listening to it, but when I checked the booklet and PA’s info about this band, it all has become less confusing :) To be short, CASUAL SILENCE is a mix of DREAM THEATER and their fellow countrymen WITHIN TEMPTATION. I’d call them Symphonic Power/Prog Metal, despite the fact that they’re not so metalish (rather heavy). Among album’s highlights are 10-min long “Memories” and (closing) “A Kiss or a Bite” epics. Sometimes music gets close to LA TULIPE NOIRE or ARRAKEEN (due to combination of female vocals with somewhat MARILLIONish atmosphere).

This is nice and enjoyable release that would definitely find its deserved recognition among mentioned bands’ lovers. Should this remark mean that others shouldn’t bother much? I’m afraid yes. But if you’re in the mood of getting something heavy yet emotional with female vocals from 2007 releases, get CASUAL SILENCE first.

Third studio album of this underrted dutch prog metal band, released in 2007 named Lost in life. This time Casula Silence changed the path and orientaed to a more mainstream aproach, but keeping the metal and progressive elements together. Not as good as the previous release, the band manage to create again a good album , in places very strong with solid instrumental passages like the instrumental piece Pieces of loss, realy fantastic guitar and keyboards arranagements. The band has n ore then 3 vocalist each one with his particular range, giving to the album a special atmosphere on each piece. Aswell a femal vocalist appears as backing on Lost in life and a guest vocalist, the famous Damian Wilson who proves once again he is top notch, having a great voice in prog metal zone. The music ia synphonic prog metal, but without that metalized sound, is more like on previous album towards the smoothness rrangemnts of this side of prog metal, with great interplays and good musicianship. All the pieces rea good, with a plus on the instrumental one Pieces of loss and Dress code. THis time I will give 3.5 rounded to 4, because is a fairly good album, but less consistent then Once in a blue moon, the previous album. For fans of Medea, Ayreon or in places Artension and Day Six. . Again a great cover art and inside booklet, made by the same man like on Once in a blue moon, Erwin Munsters. Great band this Casual Silence but very unnoticed by the larger public and for sure desearves more, their musical ideas are very strong and well played.