The prolific popularity of power metal has spread beyond conventional support into all the nooks and cranny territories of the globe. Slovakia may not be on the tip of your tongue for heavy metal, but this central European country does have some interesting acts to investigate – such as this outfit Within Silence. Releasing two previous albums with Ulterium in Gallery of Life (2015) and the follow-up Return From the Shadows (2017), there have been a couple of lineup changes beyond the pandemic that caused a longer shelf life for this third studio record The Eclipse of Worlds. Newest members Peter Pleva on drums and Marian Gonda on guitar enhance the quintet in its traditional melodic power metal platform, focusing on a positive, uplifting set of material similar to a lot of well-known veterans who kept this style alive during the 90s to 2000’s.
The overall flow of the record conveys a diverse continuity where certain tracks remain focused and impactful through key musical hooks or stunning vocal harmonies, while others expand into virtuoso/ adventurous components that need a longer format to fully grasp the ideas present. Galloping riffs push “The Treason” into an immediate highlight track, the supportive choir-like high-pitched chorus plus complementary energetic rhythm section support further cementing the Stratovarius meets Power Quest-like qualities. Cultural harmonies next to battle tested themes keep “Battle Hymn” another active favorite to this scribe, vocalist Martin Klein resolute in his upper pitch acrobatics, a la Chris Bay of Freedom Call while the opening Iron Maiden-esque musical sequence may make many think of Seventh Son-era action. Much like the bigger bands of this genre, these gentlemen know that you can set the framework of a record by fluctuating tempos and types of songs to maintain deeper interest – which is why the mid-tempo opener “Land of Light” successfully elevates moods right away through it’s positive main chord/melody choices, or the ballad “Storyline” midway through gives listeners a reflective breather.
Saving the most epic song for last, “When Worlds Collide” at almost 13 minutes offers a treasure trove of cultural earworms, instrumental bombast, and thoughtful verses next to visions of dragons, majesty, and personal journey moments. Guitarists Richard Germanus and Marian along with bassist Viktor Varga set the table in their foundational work, weaving in sonic tapestry that’s magical, in the tradition of mainstays like Stratovarius and Iron Maiden right down to an exhilarating extended lead break spot. Thoughtfully taking their self-produced work to Matt Smith of Theocracy for the mixing as well as Jacob Hansen for mastering brilliance ensures no sacrifice to serve the best final product that quality power metal deserves.
Seven years can seem like an eternity to any metal follower – but the results speak volumes for Within Silence. The Eclipse of Worlds is an ideal effort for those who need escapism from the stressful work day and want to submerge themselves into a fantasy, majestic ride beyond your imagination.