Today, after the great commercial success of Power Metal tendencies during the second half of the 90s, it’s rare to hear something different from the commons of the genre, what doesn’t mean that a band isn’t doing something very good. It’s possible to create good music even reinventing the genre, and “The Eclipse of Worlds”, the second full-length of the Slovakian quintet WITHIN SILENCE. Listening to the band’s music is something very good, because their melodic ways into Power Metal is charming, full of good instrumental technique and with good vocals. All the known good cliches of the genre can be heard on the album, along with some epic moments and Hard Rock traces.

Again: they aren’t recreating Power Metal default model or exaggerating on any other musical aspects, but their music is honest and full of energy. And it’s more than enough for the fans of the genre The quintet produced the album, having Matt Smith on the mixing and Jacob Hansen on mastering, and the sonority is into the known model for the genre: clean and defined with very good instrumental tunes. As guest, here is Jan Cvercko, who created and recorded the keyboards arrangements. And what great artwork of Jan “Örkki” Yrlund for the cover!

For Power Metal fans, songs as “Land of Light” (excellent ambiences with great guitar riffs, solos and duets), “Divine Power”, “The Eclipse of Worlds” (this one depicts some traditional Heavy Metal influences, as the heavy rhythmic contrasts), “The Treason” (the inner influences of NWOBHM becomes evident on the excellent shifts between tunes of the vocals), “Storyline” (a tender and grandiose song with excellent catchy moments), “Battle Hymn” (a very good set of melodies can be heard here), “The Broken Thorn”, “The Mist” (fiery guitars with melodic rich arrangements) and “When Worlds Collide” will be moments of pure delight.

It’s clear that WITHIN SILENCE can do better than is shown, their potential is huge. But for now, “The Eclipse of Worlds” is a very good release, even without bringing new ideas to the old Power Metal models.