CANVAS OF SILENCE – As The World Tree Fell

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• Bands:
  CANVAS OF SILENCE
• Duration: 00:43:26
• Available from: 10/31/2025
• Label:

• Rockshots Records

Streaming not yet available

Canvas Of Silence were born from a project by the Finnish multi-instrumentalist Tatu Hanhikoski, who initially thought of involving only the singer Loimu Satakieli (stage name of Hanna Uimonen): after all, he was not new to projects of this type, if we think of the albums already published between 2012 and 2013 with the moniker Olema.
This time, however, Canvas Of Silence soon took shape as a real band, as guitarist Jaakko Puusaari immediately joined in (enthusiastic after listening to the demos) and then the rhythm section borrowed from a Tool cover band, made up of drummer Iiro Vuori and bassist Mikael Minkkinen.
The style of the Finnish quintet turns out to be quite particular, being characterized by vivid contrasts between hard riffs, with lowered guitars and a disruptive rhythm section, which are contrasted with melodic refrains, orchestrations and atmospheric interludes.
In fact, the influences appear multiple: a bit of symphonic metal and a very present prog component, with the use at times of complex tempos and intricate turns, but also elements that recall Scandinavian gothic/death and Swedish melodic death (In Flames, Dark Tranquility), to avoid any misunderstanding, however, with the presence only of Satakieli's female voice.
The latter, then, is a real surprise, with her rather versatile singing: a beautiful timbre, clear and ringing, persuasive and captivating, but also, when necessary, gritty and decisive (although it should be noted that, immediately after the recordings, the singer was replaced, due to stylistic differences, with Aino Vuorenmaa).

What is actually striking about the debut album of this Finnish band, entitled “As The World Tree Fell”, is the fact that, although it is a debut, it already demonstrates a very high level both in songwriting and in the quality of the arrangements, with truly spot-on inserts of keyboards and lead guitar, but also arpeggios of piano or acoustic guitars and with the voice that fits together always to perfection, with great interpretative skill. The technical level of the musicians is certainly remarkable, but “As The World Tree Fell” is also a record that manages to excite, thanks to its intense atmospheres and its captivating melodies.
The opening track, “Watching The World Tree Fall” gives a good idea of ​​what the listener will find in the album and introduces the mood of the album very well. This also features slightly more direct songs such as “Humanimal” or “The Great Unknown”, alongside other more complex ones, such as the splendid “Wayfarer”, which in its approximately eight and a half minutes of duration offers passages of great intensity and refined prog nuances.
“Drown” is also quite complex, while in a certain sense “Anthem For Ashes” represents a middle ground, being a melancholic, rather harsh song, with prog elements but also equipped with a melodic refrain.
“One With The Wind” offers clear evidence of another Canvas Of Silence influence, being inspired by the film “The Wind Rises” by Hayao Miyazaki (2013 animated feature film, known by us as “Si Alza Il Vento”), but even more so the final “Garden Of The Fallen”, airy and intense, seems perfect as a soundtrack for a film made by Studio Ghibli.
A good debut therefore for this new band, which immediately demonstrates that it has clear ideas and above all that it possesses a high level of talent and professionalism.