Review by JD on January 30, 2010.

Progressive Rock and even Prog Metal in general is not a very popular genre, but it is one that is starting to grow steadily thanks to the dedicated musicians who have the need to stretch the boundaries of music as far as it can go. So knowing that much... Does this band called Prophexy stack up to what is out there?

This Italian band calls itself a ‘Pro-aggressive Rock’, which is a completely foreign term to me. I dive in to teach myself the term and find a band who is very progressive thinking in many ways, yet it catches my attention that they seem a little too progressive. I love musicians who press the envelope more than just a little (Listening to Frank Zappa made me that way)... but these guys seem to do it without any sort of real conviction behind the music... having all the talent right there and ending up feeling very flat and lifeless. Guess I could describe their album as almost being like Pink Floyd minus all of the heart and passion out of the music... it ends up a shell of what the music could have been.

Don’t get me wrong here, they are a great grouping of stellar musicians that came together here... some of the best I can tell, but they seem to have no real sense of heart through out the album. Sure, I would love it if they were heavier and faster in their style... but I do like when a band can rock out without the slamming riffs as well.

Prophexy just seems like a piece of spaghetti that had been way over boiled... no substance despite having all of the right ingredients. Perhaps there are going to be some progressive metallers and rockers who just might like the album as it is... I on the other hand don’t. The band are so very good musicians, but there is more to music than talent. I have learned that it is the great musicians out there who know how to breath life into the music. Sadly, Prophexy does not. Too bad... they are wickedly talented, but no fuel to the fire.

Categorical Rating Breakdown　

Musicianship: 9
Atmosphere: 5
Production: 8
Originality: 6 (lack of emotion loses this mark)
Overall: 6

Rating: 6.8 out of 10

Review by JD on January 30, 2010.

Progressive Rock and even Prog Metal in general is not a very popular genre, but it is one that is starting to grow steadily thanks to the dedicated musicians who have the need to stretch the boundaries of music as far as it can go. So knowing that much... Does this band called Prophexy stack up to what is out there?

This Italian band calls itself a ‘Pro-aggressive Rock’, which is a completely foreign term to me. I dive in to teach myself the term and find a band who is very progressive thinking in many ways, yet it catches my attention that they seem a little too progressive. I love musicians who press the envelope more than just a little (Listening to Frank Zappa made me that way)... but these guys seem to do it without any sort of real conviction behind the music... having all the talent right there and ending up feeling very flat and lifeless. Guess I could describe their album as almost being like Pink Floyd minus all of the heart and passion out of the music... it ends up a shell of what the music could have been.

Don’t get me wrong here, they are a great grouping of stellar musicians that came together here... some of the best I can tell, but they seem to have no real sense of heart through out the album. Sure, I would love it if they were heavier and faster in their style... but I do like when a band can rock out without the slamming riffs as well.

Prophexy just seems like a piece of spaghetti that had been way over boiled... no substance despite having all of the right ingredients. Perhaps there are going to be some progressive metallers and rockers who just might like the album as it is... I on the other hand don’t. The band are so very good musicians, but there is more to music than talent. I have learned that it is the great musicians out there who know how to breath life into the music. Sadly, Prophexy does not. Too bad... they are wickedly talented, but no fuel to the fire.

Categorical Rating Breakdown　

Musicianship: 9
Atmosphere: 5
Production: 8
Originality: 6 (lack of emotion loses this mark)
Overall: 6

Rating: 6.8 out of 10

Review by Adam M on August 1, 2011.

A Gothic atmosphere is created effectively by Silentium. The band has a female vocalist and performs emotionally driven songs, but without the cheesy generic style that might be associated with this type of moments.

Several worthwhile hooks and moods are crafted by this band throughout the course of "Amortean". Songs like 'A Knife In The Back' pull one in with the emotional performance of the outfit. The songs aren’t outright stunning, but moving enough to have enough of an impact upon the listener. This act isn’t able to elevate their level to the same level as the peak of Katatonia and The Gathering, however. The songs simply don’t have quite enough ingenious moments, despite containing quality symphonic portions at times. That’s not to say there aren’t portions that have an emotional impact, but there could be more of them and they could be more effective. In terms creating a gothic atmosphere, Silentium are certainly above average. The morose, tender moods that are crafted are helped by the likes of piano to pull on the emotional heart strings of the listener. The consistency of the album is solid throughout, though there are moments that are dull at times as well. The musical performances are also standard fare, but competently performed.

On the whole, "Amortean" is an enjoyable atmospheric listen that will appeal to metal fans of Anathema, Katatonia and The Gathering amongst many others. Fans of metal bands with a female vocalist that are looking for something different might also have reason to rejoice with this album.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 7.5
Atmosphere: 8
Production: 7.5
Originality: 7
Overall: 7.5

Rating: 7.5 out of 10