Fifteen years after their successful album Vertical Horizon (2011, see review), Dutch proggers Casual Silence are back with new song material. My Hollow Years is an EP, featuring four brand new tracks and after listening to this EP several times I can only conclude that Casual Silence's distinctive musical identity is still alive and kicking indeed. Opening track Back Again - a very appropriate title - is a 100% recognisable Casual Silence song, featuring their typical symphonic prog rock style. Follow up My Hollow Years is the highlight of this EP, as it features the most extensive and interesting instrumental solos of the entire EP. Burning Sun, on the other hand, is energetic, catchy and it even has some poppy influences. The final song is called The Sixth Season and that one truly reminds me of the band Medea, the solo project of multi-musician Henry Meeuws. Overall, I would say that My Hollow Years is a decent prog rock EP, not really spectacular, but very enjoyable to listen to indeed! *** Martien Koolen (edited by Tracy van Os van den Abeelen) Where to buy? |
