Belgian symphonic metal band Silent Utopia is destined for acclaim following the launch of “My Human Nature” on June 9, 2023. Despite being their first full-length album, and each of the band members rising up from relative obscurity, there is no denying that their output already matches the calibre of other high-end releases within the genre. The album was produced by the renowned Joost Van Den Broek, which is an obvious boon for the band, and no doubt a big contributing factor to its success. Few bands can boast working with such a recognised talent, especially so early in their career. By way of association, it places Silent Utopia in the same company as other esteemed metal acts such as Epica, Ayreon, Powerwolf, and Blind Guardian – and during the course of this 11-track debut, the group clearly establish why they are worthy of sharing such an affiliation.
As an introduction, the quartet is comprised of the following members:- Meggy Meyer (Vocals), Ignazio Di Salvo (Guitars, Keys, and Orchestras), Jonas Sanders (Drums), and Bo Waterchoot (Bass). Each person in the lineup performs their role to the highest standard. However, it would be remiss if we did not pay particular tribute to Meyer, who is simply exquisite in her part as the lead vocalist, and who exudes plenty of star power in her own right throughout the recording. Her singing consistently manages to strike the right balance between elegance and power, while blending seamlessly with the orchestration. She definitely has potential to become a metal icon.
But make no mistake, Silent Utopia are really the complete package. And they quickly go about proving it, as the album kicks off fearlessly with “Invincible“. There are no signs of first album jitters here, only an aura of complete confidence. And they have every reason to feel this way as the band are all technically proficient, and never fail to bring the goods to the listener. The title track “My Human Nature” is next up on the list, with the lyrics exploring the conflict of inner- and outer-strength:
While the pain consumes my eyes
Silent Utopia – My Human Nature
I will show my saddest smile
There’s no sorrow and no tears in my veins and blood
This theme carries over into the powerful single “The Strength Within You“, which as expected is the most radio-friendly number of the whole album, and the logical teaser for new audiences. The breakdown at the near midway point is also nothing short of spectacular. A galloping, neo-classical symphony (à la Amberian Dawn) then introduces us to “The Beginning and the End“. But despite the opening pace the band are afforded some moments to breathe in this track, with slow-tempo sections emphasizing the contributions of the bassist and drummer, while placing a greater spotlight on Meyer’s stunning vocals. The accelerator is pushed down firmly again for “Book of Life“, which is a phenomenal highlight of the album. It benefits greatly from both clean and harsh male vocals added, even though the latter is mixed in quite a subtle manner. I can only assume this was done intentionally so as not to detract from the real superstar on this piece, as Meyer simply shines with her performance on this song – especially during the chorus.
“Under This Sky” is the first ballad-y track, and its simpler backing and stripped-back approach places the onus on Meyer to carry the number, and she does so beautifully. It really feels like a vehicle to display her talents again, and I’m all for this scenario. Di Salvo also delivers a sweeping guitar solo, which is slower and less frenetic than his past solos on the album, but suitable for the track, and no less epic in nature. This leads us into “Mechanical Doll” which bursts from the speakers with a beefier guitar groove, but one which frequently takes detours into faster and more fancy finger work. The track is strong evidence of the band’s more progressive leanings, with some riff progressions even drawing similarities to bands like Dream Theater. “Rise” and “My Portrait” only add further fuel to this observation. The clean jazzy sections of the former is unlike anything else on the album, and shows the band still have the capacity to throw in a few surprises this deep into the running time. “Your Echo” is less on the experimental side, but still noteworthy for its pleasant melody. While “Abyss of Lies” brings the album to a close with one last dose of energy and a recap on the band’s sound for its listeners.
In summary, fans of symphonic metal (especially After Forever or mid-late era Epica) will feel right at home with this release, but it should equally appeal to progressive metal fans, thanks in no small part to the aforementioned rapid-fire riffing of guitarist and founder Di Salvo, whose oft-aggressive and gusto playing style invokes natural comparisons to Symphony X and bands of that ilk. I’ll be interested to see how the band’s music evolves from here, but for now I’m very content with this starting point that has already been presented to us.
Verdict: With “My Human Nature”, Silent Utopia live up to the promise of their name by offering an astounding experience that will leave listeners in a state of quiet bliss. A thoroughly impressive debut that lays a solid foundation for their career.
