FROM THE SILENCE

I was excited to hear this new album from Iluvatar because the band was highly recommended, and they keep getting likened to some of my favorite bands. After hearing "From the Silence", I have to admit that the band is great and has tons of potential. I really enjoyed the album, though I do have some concerns.

The band consists of Glenn McLaughlin on vocals, Dennis Mullin on guitars, Jim Rezek on keyboards, Dean Morekas bass, and Chris Mack on drums. Glenn has a wonderful, strong voice that is accented by Mullin's band-defining guitar that does remind me of Riverside's style. Jim's keys waver in and out of the amazing guitar solos and the strong rhythm section that is punctuated especially by Dean's amazing bass grooves. In some ways, this album is definitely neo-prog, but there is a certain amount of modernity here, too.

The album highlights are "Across the Coals" and "The Silence", tracks that have incredible cooperative instrumentals, including year-topping guitar solos. However, I feel the rest of the album could use work. I get the sense that there are gaps in the melodies, as if they weren't matured as much as they could have been. I also feel that the first half of the album is somewhat dull and very common in sound. It's good, sure; but not great. When the high points come, they are strong and emotional. Getting to those points, however, can be a sleep-inducing, pedestrian affair. All in all, however, this a good album.