Pawn and Prophecy

It seems like the line has gotten rather blurred between bassist Mike Lepond’s Silent Assassins and his parent band Symphony X. Both projects are deeply rooted in prog-tinged power metal and feature some of the same faces in different roles. But while Symphony X has spent the 2010s digging deeper into modern influences, Pawn and Prophecy seems to be filling the void as it expands its prog influence while still adhering to its old school metal aspirations.

As with the Silent Assassins’ 2014 debut, the core of Pawn and Prophecy is a somewhat technical take on classic metal inspired by Manowar, Helloween, and Jag Panzer among others. Ironically, Lepond seems to have reined himself in as his bass work continues to lead the charge, though with fewer moments of DeMaio-inspired shredding than the debut’s near constant wankery. Fellow Symphony X colleague Michael Romeo continues providing solid backing instrumentation and Watchtower/Hades vocalist Alan Tecchio keeps laying down what may be the best vocals of his career.

The songs themselves mostly consist of upbeat rockers like “Black Legend” and “Avengers of Eden” that offer plenty of catchy choruses and occasional lapses into thrash influence. Of course, there are some outliers that turn out strong. “I Am the Bull” shows off some of that Sign of the Hammer-era Manowar influence with its dramatic bass intro and ominous mid-tempo pacing. The folk balladry of “The Mulberry Tree” makes it seem like a token successor to the debut’s “Masada,” but ends up surpassing it due to the more upbeat troubadour aesthetic.

One also can’t go without referencing the title track, which ends up being a twenty-one minute epic based on Macbeth. Much like the classic Symphony X epics of old, there are distinct movements at play that range from folk jigs, speed metal outbursts, and cinematic swells with plenty of bass noodling and contributing guest vocal/guitarist spots in between. The extended blues breakdown is sure to a contention point and I put it in the enjoyably cheesy department myself, but it certainly helps make things stand out.

Overall, the second outing by Mike Lepond’s Silent Assassins is an excellent slab of prog-power metal by one of the genre’s most prolific yet underrated players. I think I may prefer their debut’s unhinged style, but it is great to see the band expand their sound while continuing to release enjoyable material. It would be excellent to see this project to get some momentum; if Symphony X is unable to return from their hiatus anytime soon, it may be enough to fill the void.

Highlights:
“Black Legend”
“I Am the Bull”
“Avengers of Eden”
“The Mulberry Tree”

Originally published at http://indymetalvault.com

Sit down children, it’s time to explore myth and legend galore in the brand new collection of tales from eclectic prog bassist Mike LePond of Symphony X. Silent Assassins, the outfit usually linked with LePond’s name releases their sophomore full length album, Pawn And Prophecy, to follow up the immense self titled debut that came in 2014. One might call the outfit a supergroup, consisting of four talented veterans to semi-veterans within the American heavy metal scene.

Aside from LePond, there is fellow Symphony X alumni Michael Romeo on guitars and keys, vocalist Alan Tecchio of Hades and Watchtower fame and guitarist “Metal” Mike Chlasciak known for his time with Halford and his own band Metal Mike. Obviously with two quarters of the band stemming from Symphony X, including the dominant sounding LePond himself, the sound will be reminiscent, yet still different in approach. Perhaps not as prone to progressive elements, the music rather sticks to the Manowar school of heavy power metal, with progressive touches strewn as icing on the already formidable power cake.

The album basically picks up where its predecessor left off, but also cranks everything up the scale in terms of intensity, power and songwriting. Everything just feels like more, and in an entirely good sense. The heavy riff style turned up a notch, Tecchio’s vocal lines and delivery turned up a notch, and the pummeling bass? Forget about it. LePond bulldozers right over everything in his path, delivering heaviness with precise marksmanship in tracks like massive opener 'Masters Of The Hall', and tender emotion with great passion in surprisingly potent ballad 'The Mulberry Tree', which with a few listens rises to the top of the litter in terms of favorite tracks, with its slight folky tunes and rhythmic flow to go with the innate power of the vocals.

Tecchio carries great power in his vocal chords, and a very American style to his singing, and manages to sound completely his own and highly versatile to fit the various moods and styles present on 'Pawn And Prophecy' as he belts out high pitched screams to contrast the rhythmic mid range vocals that span the album.

Unlike the previous album, not a track on here feels like filler; everything holds a high standard and every minute is justified. The only ‘perhaps’ to that would be the epic title track, closing the album off. Don’t get me wrong, the song is epic in every sense of the word, blending everything decent on the rest of the album and making it great; the prog elements, the intricate riffs and the heavy bass presence, along with lyrics evoking misty dawn on the highlands.

With a length spanning 20 minutes it sets the tone to beat for the next album, and the expectations high, as it marks the same kind of versatility that has spanned the entire album; 'I Am The Bull' begins with a lengthy bass solo that just screams of Joey DeMaio (Manowar), and the song picks up into something like Manowar meets Black Sabbath, straight out of the eighties. Then there are speedier numbers in 'Avengers Of Eden' and 'Hordes Of Fire' that shatter all resistance with simple, yet massive guitar licks and intricate bass lines. With Pawn And Prophecy, Silent Assassins have released an unexpectedly strong and varied album, one that is sure to be remembered, and for the foreseeable future, is likely to set the tone for American power metal.

Standout tracks: Hordes Of Fire, The Mulberry Tree, Pawn And Prophecy