Miridian 9 Magazine Review: (January 2009)
Ooooh my, but this is weird stuff. Not like avant-garde weird, or experimental weird. To the contrary this is rather strait
forward Black Metal. Just really, really odd, heavily Industrial tinged Black Metal. With Death growls. Lots and lots of Death
growls. Heavily distorted, run through the ringer then back again Death growls. Bit of a nerve rending experience to listen
to actually. The kicker: This disc is over an hour long. Now, if you are a fan of this sort of harsh, auditory chaos then
yeah, by all means, snag this bitch. I found my reception to this album depended heavily on mood and therefore have a varying
opinion on weather or not to recommend this work. (I can say with certainty that the cover art is all kinds of balls to the
wall, kick ass though) The only other band I can even draw the slightest correlation with is old school Blinded By Faith.
(Never thought Id be writing that. Ever.) In any event, Hypnotic Dirge Records, out of Saskatchewan Canada, broke with their
usual contemplative, melancholy and sorrowful mold in order to unleash this beast on the world and I must give them props
for taking such a chance.
Wears- 6/10
Beyond the Dark Horizon E-Zine Review by Herlaka: (May 2007)
A horror of screams with Vlad holding Zeus on a table for Mephisto to fest. Making real true demons in life crawl upon your
dead mind in sleep...Echoes of Silence make The Excorcist weep. This Thrasher grins deep...yet from below only will hear to
express this moment at levels on deeds that come to her. Along Hela's fist..I spit:
TO GATHER LIKE MOTHS TO FLAMES many come INTO THE DUSK OF NIGHT as they OPEN THE GATES in FOG COVERED LANDS this LADY ABIGAIL
WHISPERS FROM THE GRAVE with dirty NIGHTFALL'S LAMENT until the STORM OVER THE LAND is set to ETERNAL SUNSET, all will end
in THE SEDUCTION OF NIGHT as MOURNFUL SILENCE comes upon all who glance into "Echoes of Silence" So Speaks Herlaka!
Encyclopaedia Metallum Review by Noktorn: (March 2007)
I imagine that many of us get leery when we check out a band's page at http://www.metal-archives.com and see dozens of releases
within relatively short frames of time. Such is the case for Echoes Of Silence, who have a surprising amount of bold in their
resumé. Of course, with the rise of digital production, one can do nearly anything as long as you have a computer, so I imagine
we'll be seeing many more artists of this sort in the following years.
Echoes Of Silence plays a slightly gothic-influenced form of black metal (present mainly in the omnipresent keyboard melodies).
A sense of discordant melody (such as just past midway through 'Fog Covered Lands') is also present. The largest reference
point is, to me at least, Beherit, though the music here isn't quite as overwhelmingly minimal as that on 'Drawing Down The
Moon'. The distorted growls lend themselves to such a comparison as well, and the sense of melody is in some ways deeply similar
to what can be found on 'Drawing Down The Moon'.
The music here is generally solid. The majority of the emphasis is placed upon the gothic keyboard melodies that dance within
every song that border upon cheesy at their climactic moments without every really crossing that threshold. Drums are provided
by a drum machine which concerns itself mostly with straight blasting with periodic cymbal crashes and tom fills to accent
the proceedings; however, certain songs are more creative in this regard ('Nightfall's Lament'). Vocals are rather hit or
miss; less related to itself than as to the distortion used upon them, which seems very appropriate sometimes but rather out
of place in others.
The central issue here that hamstrings this album from being a damned solid piece of symphonic black metal is the production.
Now, I'm not one of those people that needs crystal-clear fidelity. But I do need to be able to hear the guitars. The vocals
almost completely drown out the guitars, which are hopelessly pinched between all the over instruments. And when they do get
to breathe, they're subject to a very unappealing, overly digital tone that is unusually grating to the ears. While all the
performances are fine, the sonic properties leave much to be desired, most noticeable are the very bass-heavy parts which
turn everything into an unintelligible murk. There is a lack of variation as well; while there are more than enough keyboard
melodies and rhythms, there's a lack of varying structures; 'Storm Over The Land' is probably the best track here, changing
it up quite a bit from the others rhythmically and structurally.
Echoes Of Silence is not a bad band. They're just deeply subjugated by their bad sound. However, there's no reason to think
that if Leviticai spends more time on the mastering and construction of each song that this couldn't be a very potent artist
in due time.
Interview with A History of Violence Webzine (November 2008)
Here we are back with a newest installment of 5to1 series...
Echoes Of Silence, a one man project of Sir Leviticai Mortus hailing from US has replied [of violence]'s questions...
The next full-length release of Echoes of Silence is titled Beyond The Crimson Gates and will be out January 6th. So right
before that a small appetizer for your darkest tastes.
- For those who are still unaware of Echoes Of Silence, could you please give us a brief introduction? Why should we check
out your music?
Hails, I am Leviticai and Echoes of Silence is my solo Symphonic Black Metal project which I started in 1999. People should
listen since the music is not just lyrics and instruments but it is true feelings and emotion poured into sound.
- You are under the official banner of USBMS Can you tell us what is it all about this US Black Metal sect?
USBMS is the United States Black Metal Sect which is the main supporter behind the movement of American black metal. Many
assume that good black metal just comes from Scandinavia but it is not just there where the black metal scene has a major
following.
- Black Metal genre, although is being performed all around the world, is stil mostly associated with Scandinavian Countries
(Norway in particular for sure). Do you think this is a disadvantage for all the other bands/projects hailing from different
regions of the world?
I do not see it as a disadvantage since if the band is good, it will get true fans that will listen. I have heard many
great bands from all over. The great Taiwanese Symphonic Black Metal act Chthonic is getting some notoriety and they come
from a country we'd least expect to hear black metal.
- So Far So Good...whats the biggest thing you think Echoes Of Silence have managed to accomplished up til today?
Echoes of Silence is solely a one-man project. I have accomplished many, many things within the almost ten years as a project
from sound-wise to member problems. "Stormbringer" will be the first album in three years to have all real instruments so
that is a big accomplishment to me. Just being a project this long is an accomplishment in itself.
- As youve just uploaded a brand new tune titled Twilightning, to your myspace profile, its kind of a "must" to ask about
the plans for the year 2009?
My plans are to keep writing new material. "Beyond the Crimson Gates" and "She is the Night" are to be released early 2009
since both were supposed to be released this year but due to complications, the albums will be released on Hypnotic Dirge
Records. "Beyond the Crimson Gates" will be released January 6th so pick up a copy!
Interview with Black Belle Webzine (November 2007)
Take me back to the beginnings of Echoes of Silence. How did it all begin?
Leviticai: Echoes of Silence started as a two man project in 1999. The music originally sounded like pure, raw, hateful black
metal.
How many members are there?
Leviticai: Just myself.
Do you work with any other bands?
Leviticai: Stefan Traunmüller of Golden Dawn has offered to master my works and Drifason of the band Drifason used to play
guitar in the earlier days of EOS.
How did you come to have the name Echoes of Silence?
Leviticai: I thought of the name while writing lyrics for a song which was going to be titled "Echoes of Silence" in which
I decided it was a good name.
How would you describe your music in your own words?
Leviticai: Symphonic black art.
How many releases do you have?
Leviticai: 19 up to now.
Where can people obtain copies of your work?
Leviticai: Through myself, the official webstore or from Candarian Demon Productions.
You were formally with Clovenhoof Productions what made you decide to part ways with them? Are you with any other label now?
Leviticai: The label put out a post about not doing any further releases in which made me quite sad due to my close bond with
the label. I wish them the best for any future endeavors. I am currently signed with Candarian Demon Productions in which
my first release on the label will be out January 2008.
You are a Symphonic Black Metal Outfit, so tell me are any of the great classical composers that are major influence in your
work?
Leviticai: Yes, there are many but to name a few, Frédéric Chopin, Claude Debussy, Johann Sebastian Bach, Sergei Rachmaninoff
and Nicolò Paganini.
What inspires you the most?
Leviticai: Life, death, nature, romance, the obscure, and just about anything in life worth taking a second glance at.
Who are (if any) your influences?
Leviticai: In terms of bands, The Eternal Blade, Golden Dawn, Graveworm, Moonspell, Twilight Ophera, and Abyssaria.
Tell me what are your thoughts of main stream religion in metal?
Leviticai: Keep religion to yourself and don't mix it with music, thats my opinion.
Well of Tears is my favourite song of Echoes of Silence please tell me about the song in your words.
Leviticai: Well of Tears was one of those songs that came to me as if it was like writing poetry. I had no actual thought
out lyrics or song structure, it just was flowing out into a full song. The song is about depression. As heard in this verse:
"Your thoughts
are so clear
but well hidden like a masquerade.
Your heart,
is in fear
as your final decision is made"
The song was meant to reflect the emotions of sadness and depression.
What is your favourite song you have done? Why this one? What is it about?
Leviticai: My all time favorite song I have to say is "A Tragic Decadence" off of "Realms of Nightshade Abyss." It has
to be the most creative piano work I have ever written and this song actually took me a few days to write. It was highly influenced
by Anorexia Nervosa and classical pieces by Rachmaninoff and Vivaldi. This song is definitely my best song.
Now I have noticed you are intrigued by the afterlife and the paranormal, how does this affect you musically?
Leviticai: Ever since my young ages and even more so when my grandfather passed away, I always wanted to know where you
go when you die whether it is just an eternal sleep or another life over the beyond. I do believe in spirits and the paranormal
also, I studied many books about sightings and hauntings in which I am very facinated in. I sometimes write songs about the
afterlife or the paranormal, for example, the song "Seperated in Afterlife" which is about being lost in the end and trying
to find the eternal beyond.
Echoes of Silence is described as Black Symphonic Art please explain this to me.
Leviticai: I have been told throughout my life that music is art and what you write and compose is art so I have labeled
my music as "symphonic black art" because it is classically influenced black metal which I pour all my emotions into like
a painter would pour his emotions into his masterpiece.
Where can people locate you on the net?
Leviticai: www.myspace.com/echoesofsilence666
www.echoesofsilence666.com
If there were one thing that you would like to tell people about yourself what would it be?
Leviticai: I would say thank you all who have supported my works and masterpieces and check the site for updates and to
purchase "Beyond the Crimson Gates" which will be out January 2008! Unholy hails!
Thankyou for your time today! Horns UP!
