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POETICA IN SILENTIO

Eclectic Prog • Netherlands


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Poetica In Silentio picture
Poetica In Silentio biography
Hard to believe that with such a name, this would be a Dutch group, but such is the case. This quintet (created in the early 90's) is from the Utrecht province (the city of Amersfoort) and somehow does not sound like their compatriots, which often seem to develop a sort of neo-prog. POETICA IN SILENTIO is rather difficult to describe and if they have clear symphonic influences, they are also delving sometimes in sombre Avant-Prog territories with Cynthia Prummel's violin. Having recorded their first album as far back as 96, the only got around to release it as a Cd in mid-2000 when they participated to Prog-Resiste Convention in Verviers. By that time they had also released another EP, called Roll The Dice, and since then have again released another album called What Do Fish Know? Unfortunately their albums are hard to come by since they are self-produced and the band seems to remain unknown to most even in the homeland.



Why this artist must be listed in www.progarchives.com :
excellent Dutch band



Discography:
Poetica In Silentio (1996/2000)
Who Rolls The Dice (2000)
What Do Fish Know? (2003)

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POETICA IN SILENTIO discography


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POETICA IN SILENTIO top albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

3.96 | 4 ratings
Poetica In Silentio
2000
4.00 | 6 ratings
Who Rolls The Dice?
2000
4.00 | 4 ratings
What Do Fish Know?
2003

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POETICA IN SILENTIO Videos (DVD, Blu-ray, VHS etc)

POETICA IN SILENTIO Boxset & Compilations (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

POETICA IN SILENTIO Official Singles, EPs, Fan Club & Promo (CD, EP/LP, MC, Digital Media Download)

POETICA IN SILENTIO Reviews


Showing last 10 reviews only
 Who Rolls The Dice? by POETICA IN SILENTIO album cover Studio Album, 2000
4.00 | 6 ratings

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Who Rolls The Dice?
Poetica In Silentio Eclectic Prog

Review by Sean Trane
Special Collaborator Prog Folk

4 stars This "EP" was produced and released at the same time as their debut album, just at the time when it seemed the group was about to breakthrough with a bunch of concerts in Belgium and neighbouring countries. This album is rather funny in its conception being completely transparent and was only available as a Cd-r back then. While only 27 minute long, this "EP "repeats the superb impressions that comes with the debut album.

Only five tracks, but well in the same genre than their debut, but with an added keyboardist, making them a sextet when they tried to breakthrough. So in principle the difference between the debut and this Ep would be keyboards (there were none in the debut), but it could fool me for they do not alter the sound any, if at all. Yes, they (kb) make the occasional appearance in Who Calls The Name,

If anything the Crimson influences are slightly more enhanced (especially in Illusion) and the Burma Shave a bit less pronounced. Clearly the highlight in this record is the almost 9- min epic Bending The Horizon, where they take the time to expand and take dramatic meanders (guitars are wailing) while the singer clearly looks at Lake's more solemn moments, but nothing scandalous. This track is probably the "epic-est" of the group.

While it is difficult to choose this EP over the debut album, it is slightly more professional (songwriting makes more sense) and certainly represents the group at its prime.

 Poetica In Silentio by POETICA IN SILENTIO album cover Studio Album, 2000
3.96 | 4 ratings

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Poetica In Silentio
Poetica In Silentio Eclectic Prog

Review by Sean Trane
Special Collaborator Prog Folk

4 stars Recorded in 96 (on a 4-track and no overdub in just one day) and only getting a CD release four years later (I think the album existed in Cassette during that time), this stunning debut album is definitely The Netherland's best kept secret and how it manages to remain so, is one of life's great mysteries, for it is not that the music is unremarkable quite on the contrary. And even then two tracks come from 94 and another from 93. So this album finally got its first Cd release at the same time than their next EP, and this was at the occasion of my Prog-Resiste buddies' festival (or Convention as they call it). And from the eight group of the line-up Poetica In Silentio was the big surprise (well not that much for they had previously played a gig with Belgian band Globalys in the frame of that same organization.

The music develop here is rather difficult to describe other than Art Rock, because while they are constantly changing tempo and climates and have a very wide spectrum. Even describing them by naming groups remains uncertain and unsure of proper guidance, but if Crimson meeting a serious 10CC or Miriodor can give you a hint or better yet the very excellent Burma Shave (also Dutch), all the more to you. The fact that this album was recorded without overdubs in just one day makes the perfection of this album even more impressive. While the texts are in English (bar one track sung in Dutch) can be somewhat silly (in a Canterbury way), the pronunciation is flawless, and Moerbeek's voice is amazingly smooth but far from unremarkable. Prummel's violin provides many breaks (and the fact that she's cute is no wasted either), while guitarist Haeyen often jumps from guitars to flutes for added entertainment. Often the group engages in sombre but haunting moments that are often succeeded by heavy guitars, Camouflage being riveting you to your seat.

Not all tracks are equally interesting but there are no dull moments: just as you thought that the Bee was going to let you down, there is a strong guitar riff to sting you back to life. One of the small complaints I have is about the songwriting which seems to be sometimes forgetting even the more basic rule: you constantly have to check on which track you are because the songs are not only irregular, but the frequent stop-and-gos are disturbing. And just in case you're wondering where are the tracks 11 to 17, they are there, but let's face it they managed to pull another very sympathetic trick bound to make you smile. And strangely enough the more interesting tracks (IMHO) are the ones recorded in 94, L'Organ D'Haine and De Dood and the hidden track Promised Lie.

While I would not call this album a masterpiece, I am not far from thinking that it could be the best coming out of the Netherlands in the last three decades (along with Burma Shave's debut, once the Dutch legendary groups started waning. Not easily found, but if you do, jump on it and just wonder how these guys still are complete unknown a decade later.

Thanks to Sean Trane for the artist addition.

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