My Silent Wake was formed from the dying embers of Ashen Mortality in May 2005 by Ian Arkley (formerly of Seventh Angel, Paramaecium and Ashen Mortality). The 'My Silent Wake EP' was recorded and mixed in ten hours on June 5th 2005 at Kewsound studio in Kewstoke, Somerset. The hundred first editions were available for purchase. The two songs on the EP, which comprised over 16 minutes of music, were both originally written for Ashen Mortality but were adapted for a more sophisticated and mature My Silent Wake. The band was picked up by Bombworks Records, who released their debut album, entitled 'Shadow Of Sorrow' in 2006.

SHADOW OF SORROW (2006) BOMBWORKS

I have a confession to make; I was never a huge fan of Seventh Angel, although I own both of their albums, and appreciate what they were for the Christian thrash metal scene. I was never a huge fan of Ian's work in Paramaecium either, as that band was nearly finished when he entered. And the little I heard from Ashen Mortality (I saw them live in Oslo), didn't make me want to come back for more. Isn't it strange though, that Ian Arkley's new playground turns out to be right up my alley? Because even though this band is a bit different then his previous ones, it is also like the natural progression musically for him. In combining the doom and death from Ashen Mortality and Paramaecium with the thrash-guitar sound from Seventh Angel, you're in many ways at least half way to what My Silent Wake sounds like. Doom is the keyword, as the music is slow for the most part. But Ian is not content to dwell on just being slow. so he has taken the doom as the bone structure, and added lots of meat to those bones. After the eclectic intro he bombards us with one of the most catchy riffs I've ever heard in this kind of music. This title track sounds like Black Sabbath and 'Arise'-era Sepultura gave birth to a new monster! I bet Tony Iommi would have given at least 1 more finger to have been the originator to the mentioned riff. And Ian sings like a guttural Max Cavalera, played at a speed just a tad to slow. Unfortunately, the rest of the songs doesn't quite measure up to this majestic opening. Don't misunderstand me though, as 'Shadow Of Sorrow' is in it's entirety still one awesome CD. All the songs has a unique atmosphere; beautifully somber, but with plenty of hooks you'll remember. Vocally we're talking gritty and death-like, but always very understandable. Here and there he also mixes in some clean vocals. 'Shadow Of Sorrow' have turned out to be one of the finest albums in the doom/death category in years! There is something new to discover on each listen. And if you listen to this on your headphones, I guarantee you that the world outside is soon forgotten. I also urge you to check out the lyrics sheet, as Ian have come up with some stellar material there too. Last, but certainly not least; kudos to Rex Zachary for his best cover artwork to date!

Killer tracks: Shadow Of Sorrow, Burning, Hunting Season, In Darkness, Lost, Through Greenest Meadows

Related artists:

Seventh Angel, Paramaecium