Honestly, I have never been quite fond of operatic voices, especially in Metal music where it seems to be as if that came as an antithesis on purpose to the might that the genre channels. Acts such as NIGHTWISH for instance only made me hang on longer with their music and not due to the vocalic performance. Sometimes I didn't know what was better, operatic chanting or growls. On the other hand, there is always the music to compensate and furthermore, every so often not the entire vocal line is based on operatic mantras. SILENT OPERA from Italy, once called DARK OPERA that served as a tribute band for, you probably guessed, NIGHTWISH, isn't that different from the Finnish icons, nor from any other kind of Symphonic / Operatic Metal acts. Well, maybe less Gothic and obscure than the others, and probably less angelic. Their debut album "Immortal Beauty", via Ravenheart Music, signalled their detachment from being a sole tribute band and their reformation as a creative being. Though I believe that they have quite a journey in their long path to something genuine, their offering right here proved that they can manage and even surprise.

Thankfully, when it came to the vocals of Aria, I could understand almost every word. With operatic singers in most cases, at least the ones I encountered, it is really hard to understand what they are trying to say, especially on the higher notes. Gladly that Aria seemed to be very forthcoming in her singing while diverting through several voice patterns. Musically, the large majority of the album flew by rather fast. Most of the songs, aside from "Lilium" and "Selene" that were kind of boring, slightly monotonic and unpleasing, played out swiftly and easily with their miraculous grayness and emotive construct provided by a wonderful aura of both the irresistible keyboards and the rhythm guitars. I can't say that I was wholly satisfied with the lead guitar fretwork, as I imagined that there would be more showcases where I could enjoy Rain's abilities, nevertheless what was already there kept my hunger at bay. Furthermore, the riffages turned out quite good, several of the riffs where heavy as hell along with a few melodic harmonies that even crossed into the realms of HELLOWEEN like Power Metal. On the other hand, SILENT OPERA reserved their imagery with low end riffing that marked the darkness and mystery between their lines unlike the chirpy verses of some of the Euro Power Metal examples.

"Morningstar" represents SILENT OPERA as a band that can create Symphonic Metal hits with catchy riffing, dreamy halo of keyboards, sleek rhythms and killer vocals. On the other hand, they can also deliver the goods with epic tracks such as the closing "The Silent Opera", a song that also honors their name while granting the listener an option to feel their passion for their kind of music. Beyond the grey there is a light; SILENT OPERA wish to show both sides without looming everything with total blackness. Further than sharing qualities with several of other bands tamed under the operatic pattern, SILENT OPERA has a slightly more to give, but they what they have is good.