In Silentio Noctis: Fragments of Christianity (2010)

Review

Who among us hasn't wished for a band that combines the bombastic black metal symphonies of Dimmu Borgir with the bombastic gothic metal symphonies of Nightwish? What? You haven't? Well, me neither.

But that's just what Finland's (big surprise!) In Silentio Noctis set out to do. Or, at least that's how the label is billing it. I thought it would be a nice companion review to Abrahadabra, so I picked it up.

Tremolo picking and pro-devil lyrical/image content aside, their debut Through Fragments of Christianity is decidedly more for fans of Nightwish than of Dimmu, with its ultra-polished production and generally more gothic style of writing. But at least they're not another faceless Nightwish clone like the seeming thousands of others (Epica, Within Temptation, Leaves' Eyes, need I go on?).

But I've been known to listen to a little Nightwish, and most of us have even if we won't admit it. And In Silentio Noctis isn't all that bad. Highlights include "Libre Satanas", the ultra-dramatic closer "Signum Crucis", and especially "Funereal Verses".



The Verdict: Far too polished and artificial to be black metal, but it does have influence from the style, In Silentio Noctis has created a style that is at least distinguishable from others in their scene. And the album is enjoyable. I give Fragments 3.5 out of 5 stars.