SILVERNITE is a symphonic band taking its cues from melodic metal's favorite genre: the 1980s. However, it adds more a fantastic New Wave flare instead of drawing from NWOBHM sources like IRON MAIDEN and JUDAS PRIEST. A Finnish/Geek band, Silvernite is new to the scene, having released a demo in 2019. With the release of this self-titled album, their first, they're also providing a comic book to accompany it. A cool concept, it was enough to get me excited about the album. Granted, they have a lot of cool concepts. However, I wanted the execution to go bigger.

The intro and outro have the same name and have a similar, whimsical sound to them. They introduce and close the album in an electronica trance-rock style, calling back to early techno bands like TANGERINE DREAM. However, the rest of the album seems to be having an identity crisis on whether or not it wants to be pop, techno, or metal. Granted, I love cross-genres and it can be all three. But go big or go home. If you want to do all three, do them BIG.

For instance, the second track, Silvernite, is a mainstream, poppy sounding song that wouldn't be too out of place on a Jem & the Holograms soundtrack. It's catchy, the voice is good. However, the song lacks any sort of oomph. The percussion's way in the back, the voice doesn't roar, and even at full blast the overall sound is muted. Unfortunately, apart from some bright spots, the rest of the album is this mild, tame thing that holds back too much. Go rock, go techno, go both, but don't go halfsies!

A standout for me was "Desperate Dreams". The saxophone in the intro was a unique touch of 1980s and the poppy chorus reminded me of a DELAIN song with more electronic oomph. The strong, anthemic beat further brings the techno sound to this futuristic song. The stronger beat also gives the song a nice edge that the rest of the album needs more of IMHO. Another standout, on the other end of the spectrum, was the lucid penultimate track "Iron Eagle". The tinkling synthesized melody in the intro and the haunting chorus bring the song into new wave paradise for fans of vintage EDM. The main riff gets stuck in your head and I could totally hear remix after remix of this song in a club.

When they stick of trance and the general TANGERINE DREAM sound laced throughout the album, they're a fine band. They also have elements of 2000s symphonic metal band LUNATICA that I appreciated. Harkening back to the 80s isn't a bad thing in and of itself, but when the music is so tame when it's bursting to be edgier, that's when the problem comes in. While there are a couple of standout tracks, overall, wish they went further with the electronica element. If they did, this album would've kicked ass. Granted, its their first album, so I can't wait to see if or how they improve once their sophomore album comes to town. And I will be looking at that comic book.