Search - Circle II Circle :: Watching in Silence

Amazing Debut

Justin Gaines | Northern Virginia | 06/22/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was dismayed when I first heard that vocalist Zak Stevens was leaving Savatage after being part of some of the best metal albums ever. Had I known the result would be not one, but two great bands (Circle II Circle and Jon Oliva's Pain) stepping in to fill the void, I wouldn't have worried.



Circle II Circle debuted in 2003 with Watching in Silence. Rather than try to avoid Savatage comparisons, Stevens encouraged them by bringing on former bandmates Chris Caffery and Jon Oliva to help with the songwriting and production duties. The result is an extremely strong melodic metal album highly reminiscent of Savatage efforts Edge of Thorns and Handful of Rain (the title track Watching in Silence would have been right at home on either of these). Some of Savatage's more theatric and progressive elements are toned back and replaced by a more melodic, straightforward metal approach that is ideally suited to Stevens's powerful voice.



There really aren't any weak moments on this album. Just about every song could be considered a standout track. Zak Stevens gives another powerhouse vocal performance, and his supporting cast (who would summarily defect and join Jon Oliva's band) does a great job as well.



Watching in Silence is one of the strongest debut albums I've ever heard, and of course is a must-have album for all Savatage fans. Fans of melodic hard rock/metal bands like Last Tribe, Pretty Maids, Pink Cream 69, and Jorn Lande should also enjoy this album. Of course, fans of those bands should love Savatage in the first place, which brings this album back to must-have status for just about everybody!



NOTE: Early versions of Watching in Silence came in a very nice digipack instead of the standard jewel case.

"

More Magic from Oliva, Stevens, and Caffery.

Randall Banks | Lansing, MI USA | 12/20/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"After Zak left Savatage I was very dissapointed. I love Poets& Madmen, but think that Zak's voice is very conductive to the music that he sings.



So, while visiting the Sava site I noticed this group. Soon as I could afford it I ordered Watching In Silence.



Take heart Savatage fans. You've still got a chance to hear the wonderful vocals of Zak Stevens, and the song writing of the Savatage team. Jon Oliva and Chris Caffery got together and wrote this album with Zak and succeeded.



This album rocks hard. Sure, some say it's just another Savatage album. But, IMOHO, that's a very very good thing. This is very Savalike, but with it's own voice. The style of Zak, the substance of Savatage, with the passion that you expect from them can be felt throughout this release.



This is, like other reviewers have mentioned, close to the Wake Of Magellan sound of Savatage. The vocals are deep and rich. The playing is crisp and solid.



Best tracks? Hard to say because I love every song on this release. I really like Forgiven, Sea Of White and The Circle over the other. Though, like I said, that difference is minor.



If you, like me, love Savatage then this album will please you to no end. Just listening to it for the first time now, it just being delivered today. I'll likely listen to this a number of times before the week is out."

WELCOME, SAVATAGE FANS!

campboy83 | Virginia Beach, VA United States | 05/27/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you were a fan of "Edge Of Thorns" or "Handful of Rain" (Savatage Cds with the same vocalist), then you'll be thrown back in time with this release. This gets better and better with each listen. It's amazing how the different band members that have gone through Savatage have been allowed to showcase his own style in the band, and so when they leave, and start their own bands, it's like getting bonus Savatage CDs during the many dry spells of no Savatage CDs.

I do realize that longtime members Jon and Chris have their hands in this project, but I am always a vocalist-person. I am not saying Zack is the best Savatage vocalist (I am a HUGE fan of the new Jon Oliva cd), but you know the saying.."It's all good". That applies."