An album of beauty, poise and worth and one which Progressive Rock fans will lap up eagerly.

After eight years away Progressive Rock outfit Violent Silence return with their third release 'A Broken Truce', and "Epics" would appear to be the intention, with four tracks all reaching over ten minutes comprising the whole album. This creates a beautifully flowing and cohesive atmosphere where three keyboard players combine to make the lack of guitars on this album a point of interest rather than a disappointment.

The band themselves are made up of the core duo of Johan Hedman (drums and keyboards) and Martin Ahlquist (vocals), with guest bass work courtesy of Anders Lindskog, while the keyboards are bolstered by the skills of Hannes Ljunghall and Bjorn Westen. An unusual configuration you'll agree, but one which results in a glorious mix of Riverside, Yes, Genesis, the non aggressive side of Opeth and Brother Ape. All four songs are intricate and wide ranging in scope, while still relying mostly on strong melody over technicality, although Violent Silence hardly lack in this latter area either. As you'd expect with the guitarless keyboard tradeoffs, this is not a release liable to swipe you off your feet aggressively.

Rather, the longest track 'The Kingdom Below' builds through a variety of passages which combine dextrous playing, with Ahlquist's excellent vocals which vary from full bodied yet controlled expulsions, to restrained and fragile whispers. This aspect gives the music true scope, especially when the vocals are presented in beautifully arranged harmonies and set against some of the more hard hitting percussive work and darker keyboard themes which are explored in between the melodies. 'Prism Path' finds all of these elements colliding to great effect, creating memorable sections which keep you enthralled, as you eagerly wait to hear which of the many possible musical paths this band will explore next: a feature which also infuses 'Rim Of Clouds' and the album's closing title track.

Eight years in the making and in the waiting, Violent Silence have in that time conjured up an album of beauty, poise and worth and one which Progressive Rock fans will lap up eagerly.

Steven Reid