Reviewed by Paul S Ganney

This is a re-issue of a 2004 album by a Greek metal band, who didn't get the attention they deserved the first time around. Overall they reminded me a lot of classic German metal, especially Helloween in their pomp ("Hold Me Tight", "Dreadful Signs", "Hold On"), the riffs, the guitar sound, even the drumming makes me think so much of "Keeper Of The Seven Keys". It's wonderful. The title track is more Axxis in style, albeit with a lower register vocal, and also reminded me in some parts of MSG particularly around the era of "Desert Song". The guitar work is exemplary, the solo on "Dancer Of The Storm" showing flashes of Blackmore, May and Schenker. InnerWish don't do quiet songs, preferring to put their light and shade within the songs themselves, eg, "Riding On The Wind" which also contains possibly the best solo on the album. Musically it's very well constructed: "Set Me Free" has a really great instrumental section, even though it does seem to come crashing in as though lifted from a different take. However, the way it blends back into the song at the end is delightful. There was so much to enjoy here, the best riff appearing on "Midnight Call". If you missed this the first time around (as I did), 'Silent Faces' is well worth checking out.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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