Violent Silence – Twilight Furies
If you love progressive keyboards like I do, then you will love Violent Silence’s new album, Twilight Furies; being released on Open Mind Records, on November 16, 2020. In fact, to show us how serious they are about keyboards, this Swedish progressive rock band has two keyboardists.
Violent Science is made up of Johan Hedman, on keyboards, percussion, and backing vocals; Erik Forsberg, on lead vocals; Simon M. Svensson, on bass; Hannes Ljunghall, on keyboards. The band has released three albums before this new album, A Broken Truce, (2013); Kinetic, (2005); and their debut, Violent Silence, (2003).
Twilight Furies, opens with a keyboard intro: “Fair Warning”. The opening reminds me a little of Depeche Mode on keys before the thundering drums kick in. Then a more Marillion keyboard sound takes over. The speed increases as “Tectonic Plates” begins.
Erik Forsberg’s first vocals, on “Tectonic Plates”, and they are very hard to distinguish or compare to anyone else. Unique and at times hard to understand. But I am concentrating harder on those beautiful keys bubbling up all over the sound. The keyboards throughout this song and album, are easily some of the best I’ve heard all year. Gunning keyboards that just continue to amaze in all their dynamic appeal.
“Scorched Earth Path”, opens quietly, before heavy drums and awesome keyboards storm the breach and flood the deck. Great bass sound meanders through the keyboard metroplex. A comprehensive keyboard wizardry bleeds over the soundscape. Bell – like keys and massive synchronization with the drumming rhythm that sounds like magic being performed at rapid intensity.
“Dance of the Shuriken”, sounds like the ancient Japanese weapon being released, slowly and well – targeted. The slow keyboards are a big change from what we have been hearing. This is more like Larry Fast’s Synergy. Excellent, well – timed keyboards full of melody.
“Lunar Sunrise”, contains Erik Forsberg’s best vocals. But it is still the unique and complex keyboards that magnetize your ears. One of the best songs on the album.
“Beyond the Pass”, is a vocal interlude, with few keyboards supporting.
“Twilight Furies”, is the album title song and it gets of to a dramatic start. Deep and high-spirited keys open the song before more of those exquisite belled keys take over the forefront. Like rain falling, with deep bass accompaniment. Excellent. Finally, a true instrumental experience with few vocals. Turn on the engines and let it rip!
“Perilous Borders”, sounds like a rewinding keyboard, complete with percussion and sounds of strings.
As I said from the beginning, this is an amazing keyboard album. Different sounds than you will find on other band’s albums. Very unique and inspiring. Violent Silence’s Twilight Furies, was a wonderful find and I recommend you take a chance with it. The cover art on this album is excellent!
Track List
- Fair Warning (0:20)
- Tectonic Plates (16:10)
- Scorched Earth Path (13:08)
- Dance of the Shuriken (3:06)
- Lunar Sunrise (9:04)
- Beyond the Pass (0:38)
- Twilight Furies (10:46)
- Perilous Borders (2:06)
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