How can you possibly lose with a project that contains members involved with Borknagar, Solefald, Arcturus, Mayhem, Winds, and so on? Age of Silence’s “Acceleration” is not only a finely crafted album, it is arguably strong enough to garner album of the year honors.

From the opening track “Auditorium of Modern Movements,” we’re introduced to Hellhammer’s erratic drumming, Lazare’s avant-garde vocalizations, Winter’s melodious keys, and guitar riffs – courtesy of Extant, Kobbergaard, and Eikind – you’d kill for. Essentially, “Acceleration” encapsulates progression in every sense of the aforementioned word. Layered vocals will begin to appear on the title track, and will continue to do so for the remainder of the record’s length. “The Concept of Haste” is speedy upon inception, and features keyboard wizardry at its forefront; Winter is seemingly unconquerable within the realm of synthesizing. Lazare should have you singing along once you know the words, and you’ll even be reciting the nine-digit number in “A Song for D. Incorporated” with relative ease. “The Green Office and the Dark Desk Drawer” should have your head bobbing due to its heavy riffs, and unique rhythms. “The Flow at 9:30AM” delves into melancholia, but somehow retains the catchiness that riddles the other tracks. “Of Concrete and Glass” is perhaps the most useless number on the opus sans “I No Longer Know if I Am Mad.” “Synthetic, Fabricated, Calculated” rounds out \"Acceleration\" with lofty musicianship on all members’ parts.

Overall, Age of Silence’s debut album is a composition that should not be missed by anyone even remotely interested in progressive music, metal, or any one of the members’ parent band(s). You may find Lazare’s vocals grating – or the layering agitating – but that’s simply not enough deterrents to convince the levelheaded from unearthing The End Records’ fine signing.

[This review was first published on the now defunct scandinavianmetal.info webzine]