Billy Talent - Dead Silence

Considering the last album was disgustingly poor and a major disappointment I had no positive expectations for this album but deep down I really wanted it to be good because I like to see Canadian acts succeed. Dead Silence is largely representative of the band’s earlier work but with a larger focus on the complexity of lyrics and the overall structure of songs. In short, the album is a bit tame compared to their older work but that assessment can be taken two ways. Some fans might like the toned down yet high energy album while others might think that no good Billy Talent song is complete without Kowalewicz’s banshee-like shriek; something that the band decided to do without on this album although the singer doesn’t fail to use his vocals in other ways.

Now this is a total turn around for Billy Talent with the interesting intro track "Lonely Road To Absolution" which made my ears perk up instantly. Lyrically the band have matured noticeably. The themes of the songs are the same, but they’re handled in a more subtle and clever way (lines such as “you’re much better looking when you’re in disguise” are complete lyrical highlights, and they’re in abundance on this album). "Cure for the Enemy "is also a phenomenal track, showing a wonderful emotive side to the band previously unseen as clearly.

It’s also clear (and fantastic) to see that Dead Silence is an album that Billy Talent have taken a lot of care over. Each song sounds as if a lot of thought has gone into it, each bass-line behind each riff sounds like it was carefully placed there deliberately, and subsequently every riff behind every vocal line sounds just as deliberately positioned. And every vocal line… get the picture. A band that puts that much effort into each element, of each instrument, of every one of their songs, is definitely worth a listen.

The scorching and vicious attack of "Runnin' Across The Tracks" just grabbed me at the first note and didn't let me go until it concluded four minutes and nineteen seconds later. This is just one fantastic rock song and easily the one you should listen to if you only choose one on the album. Even though most will say it sounds like Billy Talent and that statement is true this is not a typical Billy Talent album this is an album that has been refined and crafted with love and as much integrity that the band could muster. The effervescent beauty of "Stand Up & Run" displays the most commercial song I've heard from the band for sure and it is absolutely wonderful radio friendly rock. Do yourself another favour and that is make sure that you try to destroy your speakers with volume while listening to "Show Me The Way" and your dancing around the living room like a raving lunatic having a sonic moment of joy that doesn't come around too often.

Dead Silence is the crown jewel in the Billy Talent catalog and it is time to crank this up to eleven and rock the hell out! See Ya!