Resonance Room Unspoken
by Justin Gaines
Staff Writer
Unspoken is the first full-length album (they issued a pair of EPs under the name Fragment) from Italian dark progressive/gothic metal band Resonance Room. At first listen, it’s tempting to write off Resonance Room as Italy’s answer to Katatonia, and that’s probably not too far from the truth. With their dark atmospheres, haunting melodies and melancholy vocals, it’s hard not to think of Katatonia, who at this point are the undisputed masters of this kind of music. When you delve deeper into Unspoken, however, you get a much better picture of Resonance Room’s true sound.
Resonance Room finds just the right balance between dark progressive metal and dark gothic metal. Their label suggests the term “emotional gothic doom” to describe Unspoken, and that’s apt. There’s a somber doom metal aspect to these songs, just as there’s an obvious emotional aspect (emotional in this case being sorrow, rage and desperation) as well. Unlike, say, Anathema or even Katatonia at times, Resonance Room isn’t averse to thrashing away and letting the occasional death metal vocals come into play, which only adds to the energy and overall mood of Unspoken. There’s also a high level of technicality on display here, which should appeal to the progressively inclined. The band’s dark, heavy prog metal sound is very reminiscent of Evergrey (always a good thing) and even Pain of Salvation, particularly on the closing epic title track.
Unspoken should have a fair amount of crossover appeal with fans of gothic and progressive metal. Fans of Katatonia, Anathema (when they were heavy), and perhaps even My Dying Bride should appreciate Resonance Room’s melancholy gothic approach, and fans of more progressive bands like Porcupine Tree, Evergrey and Riverside should appreciate the band’s mix of musicianship and dark emotional content. With any luck, enough fans from both camps will take note of Resonance Room. If they stick around, they’re definitely a band that could make a lasting impression on the metal scene.
Label: My Kingdom Music
Track Listing:
1. Unreason
2. Escape
3. Far From Grace
4. Maybe You Are…
5. The Warmth of Life
6. Frost and Emptiness
7. Bloodred
8. A Prayer
9. Instants of Madness
10. While I’ll Burn
11. Unspoken
Lineup:
Alessandro Consoli – Vocals
Fabio Monaco – Guitars
Riccado Failla – Guitars
Alfio Timoniere – Bass
Gabriele Litrico – Keyboards
Sandro Galati – Drums
Online: www.myspace.com/resonanceroom
Hardrock Haven Rating: 7.5/10