First class symphonic epic power metal acts do normally come from either Italy or Finland, and on a few occasions from Sweden or Germany, but that has changed with 'Voices from the Silence'. The spotlight turns to the Czech Republic and Symphonity, formerly known as Nemesis. Maybe a few of you have come across their debut album 'Goddess of Revenge', which was released in 2003 on the Underground Symphony label?

The album is strong enough to catapult them straight into the same hemisphere that normally counts bands like Sonata Arctica, Stratovarius, Dionysus, Edguy, Rhapsody and Luca Turilli. They reach the international standards set by those bands with ease, conviction and musical perfection, delivering a great selection of up-tempo metal hymns with all the classic trademarks, which are mandatory in this genre.

With the musical foundations solid in place, the thing that lifts this album into the higher regions is vocalist Olaf Hayer (Luca Turilli, ex-Dionysus), who has the perfect voice for this kind of metal, which he has proven on many occasions and he delivers one of his strongest performances on 'Voice from the Silence'. He and the band benefits greatly from a crystal clear and warm sound produced by Libor Krivak and mixed by Sascha Paeth.

This album has it all; metal hymns: 'Gates of Fantasy' and 'Evening Star', the multi-part epic trilogy ('The Silence') and the metal hit in the best Stratovarius/Sonata Arctica tradition in 'Bring Us the Light', and when all is said and done we do get an extra treat - a very cool cover-version of 'Irgendwie, Irgendwo, Irgendwann' by Nena, sung part in English and part in German.

I can strongly recommend this great album if you are into any of the above mentioned bands, so do put this album on your shopping list now!