Silent Exile
Tell me about your history? How did you get where you are now?
This canadian band from the Montreal area was formed in 1996. Once the decision to leave the covers scene had been taken, Silent Exile began writing seriously their compositions. With the strong will of originality, the members were looking for a special sound oriented toward songs structures, arrangements and lyrics, With their debut CD entitled Dancing with death, we can say that Silent Exiles music constitutes a style gathering atmospheric, melodic, metal and orchestral moods.
As a reference, it seems that « Progressive » is the best word to describe Silent Exile music on the whole. Progressive because the songs have been built-up in order to let a large place for instrumental lines but mainly because all instruments contribute equally to the musical result.
The rythm section, punctuated with complexities and nuances, is performed by Denis Ainsley (drums) and Sylvain Gagnon (bass) who support the rest of the band. Fabrice Blanchet s guitar playing brings of course some crunchy sound but is principally based on a melodic distinctive feature. With wide and omnipresent keyboard « colors », Cédric Rioux holds an important place in the line-up. The strong voice of Chriss J.Y. , supported by many backing vocals, emerges easily from the orchestrations, bringing to the style a clean characteristic.
After two years working on the first album, the members of Silent Exile have decided to produce the entire project and to put the time required for a good production. From August to November 1999, Silent Exile has recorded and mixed tracks at Plante Verte Studio with sound engineer, Claude Paré. The product proves to be satisfactory and will lead to a large promotional plan.
The title, Dancing with death, seems to link up the best all the lyrics talking about social scorn, corruption, war and revolt. At the opposite, some lyrics try to be a credit to those who are gone and who left, as an heritage, their ambitions, their courage and stubbornness.
Concerning its musical identity, the musicians that make up Silent Exile prefered to exploit moods and sound textures to communicate some emotions and states of mind to the listeners, trying to create something very dynamic. Some songs like Walls of society, On the hill or Images of war are really loud but , in spite of everything, we can notice the emphasis has been put on both keyboard and guitar melodies. Glaasmaaker Straat is more orchestral in a waltz rythmic ; it brings a floating mood contrasted by a chaotic guitar line. Stratosphere has a more progressive signature than the others as it starts in an atmospheric mood, followed by louder riffs and ending on a commercial hook. In a way to explore a more commercial facet, Broken dreams has been written as a progressive and powerful balad.
Now their debut album is completed, Silent Exile will get on the stage again in spring 2000. They will participate to many progressive festivals or events with the good intention to get a place in the musical industry, consequence of their friendship and will...
Your musical influences
Dream Theater, Fates Warning, Rush, Marillion, Queensrÿche...
