Dilemma.

Musically, German Cast In Silence sound like a fusion between In Flames and Life Of Agony – groovy, catchy, driving.

What isn’t cool is the voice of the band. Michael Lowin sounds plain, flat and soulless on most of the record, and it really is a shame, because it sucks the major part of the coolness out of ‘First’.

I have to hand Cast In Silence that the two potential hit tracks The Last Straw and Misery Inn are catchy as hell and Lowin does add something to that in the choruses.

A shame that the melody he tries to bring to the other songs in places is slightly out of tune and, well, plain dull. The track Fake is particularly awful in that respect.

Besides these two tracks, the cover of the Desireless hit Voyage Voyage is quite charming and doesn’t fit Lowin’s voice too badly.

Voice training recommended – then I’ll look forward to the second album from Cast In Silence!