I cannot believe that Silent Force have three albums out and until 2 weeks ago, I’d never heard of them. I was fortunate to pick up “Infatuator” and this new recording “Worlds Apart” at the same time. According to their press release “Worlds Apart” has taken three years to write and record which makes “Infatuator” late 2000, early 2001. 

The album kicks off in fine style with “Ride The Storm”, the quality of the band and their song writing ability is immediately obvious. It is almost impossible to put this band into any recognisable genre because there seem to be influences from everywhere. Guitarist Alex Beyrodt (ex Primal Fear) is an incredible player, on first listen I was convinced this was a two guitar band, but not so, the sound being filled out beautifully by keyboard player Torsten Rohre. The interplay between the two instruments is fantastic, especially on the opening track. This is pacey stuff, as much of the album is, but that is no criticism at all. Lead singer DC Cooper has a great voice, part Rob Halford, part Joe Lynn Turner, and yet because of the use of huge melodies, sounds unique.  

Each song is crafted superbly, with each musician taking an equal percentage of the work, each accentuating the other guys around him. The guitar playing is sublime, but seems more so because of what’s being played behind it, drummer Andre Hilgers and bassist Jurgen Steinmets are absolutely thunderous. The production quality is huge, and needs to be because albums of this quality need to be heard, loud. Beyrodt’s days with Primal Fear were certainly not wasted and the no nonsense rifferama cuts through, there are moments of genius and humour, for example, the solo in track 11 “Heart Attack” uses the familiar strains of the “Can-Can” for chrissakes!!!.  

Obviously this album is not just about the guitar (which I could rant on about for hours), it’s the use of melody which surprises most of all. And also the lyrical content, “Heroes” is a tribute to the bravery of the fire crews who lost their lives during 9/11.  

An interesting use of tempo throughout the album is clever, “Hold On” has a Ronnie James Dio/ Rainbow kind of stomping feel to it, keyboard driven backline and soaring vocal line, but the ballad “Spread Your Wings” is beautiful without being cute. This song would work in a kind of “unplugged” way, acoustic guitar and piano and Coopers voice (just a thought for the live set guys !). One of my stand out tracks is “Death      Comes In Disguise” but having said that, to choose a stand out track is impossible, they are all that good.  

To try and quantify this album in a couple of hundred words could never do it true justice, if you like your music heavy, melodic, technical and loud, you need to hear this. Everybody I’ve spoken to in the last week is now thoroughly sick of me droning on about Silent Force, but they are incredible, “Infatuator” is fantastic and “Worlds Apart” is even better, I hope we’ll see the band live in the UK. Sheer Class. Now where can I find the first album ?.

Let us know your views on 'Worlds Apart'

Track List

Ride The Storm
No One Lives Forever
Hold On
Once Again
Master Of My Destiny
Heroes
Death Comes In Disguise
Merry Minstrel
Spread Your Wings
Iron Hand
Heart Attack
Worlds Apart

Line Up

Jurgen Steinmetz - Bass
Torsten Rohre - Keyboards
DC Cooper - Vocals
Andre Hilgers - Drums
Alexander Beyrodt - Guitars