If I
have to put on a specific metal sticker on this
debut album, it has to be something like this:
Modern, melodic metal with big jagged shards of prog metal/rock. This
Swedish trio in Cullooden
is giving us a disc, which is very technical and
at the same time it's a very melodic album.
'Silent Scream' is a metallic gold bar. It
contains adult, progressive metal tracks played
with ultra strong harmonies and Cullooden is
fronted by one of the strongest and widest new
rock voices I've heard in a long time.
Fredrik Joakimsson owns the talented voice, and he
handles the highest tones just as perfect as in
the harsher and darker tunes. I hear musical
influences that reminds me of Dream Theather or
maybe even more from their compatriots in the
magnificent progressive metal band Seventh
Wonder and the Norwegians in Circus Maximus.
Cullooden is not another beginner's project, which has
released a 'quick shot' album, nope they knew what they were
going to record on 'Silent Scream' and the songs are so overwhelmingly worked through
both musically and lyrically. The album is also
extremely well produced. I have to stick my neck
out and say that it is perfectly produced, there
is absolutely nothing to complaint about.
What attracts my interest a little more than
normally is the elegant flirts with the melodic
hard rock, like in 'Our Only Desire' and in 'An
Interesting Fact', which are some of my favorite tracks on
this album. The heavy bass rhythms are
pressing in the background, but it's easy listening
and melodic nonetheless. The quality rhythmic
metal that has been mixed with the progressive
tones becomes an insanely congenial overall
impression. Every track has it's own personality
and I've used much of my time to sort this album
in and out and my final conclusion is this: A new
shining progressive metal star is appearing on the metal
heaven and it's called Cullooden!
'Silent Scream' will most likely be played over
and over again for a long, long time to come when
I want life-inspiration or just want to hear at
succulent melodic metal or world-class quality prog
metal. I love it!
The album is recommended for most metal fans,
although the melodic/progressive metal fans will
most likely worship this masterful album release!
Cullooden:
Fredrik Joakimsson - Vocals/Guitar
Jonas Ekestubbe - Guitar
Michael Södergren - Bass
Additional
Musicans:
Daniel Bejbom - Drums
David Kastlund - Keyboards
