In general, any musical reference that includes the word "progressive" (or worse, its truncated offshoot "prog") results in my Fight or Flight instincts taking over. After a barrage of InsideOut promo CDs back around 2003-04, I've developed a nearly unhealthy hatred towards a subgenre that is utterly embroiled in derivative, bland and entirely vapid musical masturbation. Back then, I was willing to Fight with words, but as I got older and ceased listening to those wretched promos, I simply resorted to Flight to stay as far away from anything remotely connected to progressive rock. Anyhow, after looking through BNR Metal's recommended albums, I found Forgotten Silence to be an intriguing prospect. And as it turns out, Kro Ni Ka is a fabulous record that makes me think there is hope for this progressive rock/metal thing after all.

Forgotten Silence has been bopping around the Czech Republic for over a decade and a half, offering up a hybrid of doom/death metal with many eclectic influences flushing out their sound. Kro Ni Ka is a step away from their earlier sound, almost directly into a true progressive rock field. The album features but three songs, all eighteen minutes or longer. Strangely, these songs never wear out their welcome. For many prog bands, it apparently is enough to have songs that are extra long and somehow that's pushing the boundaries of music. Forgotten Silence manages to compose these songs to carry the listener on a journey. A band such as Opeth tends to get caught up in one riff after another without a good oversight of the big picture, but Forgotten Silence seems to have a better understanding of their lengthy compositions. Vocals are few and far between and usually spoken softly in the corner. In fact, the lack of vocals is yet another reason I'm enjoying this album so much. No need to have some loser warble over lukewarm but technically proficient noodling. But the real ace up the sleeve for this band is their rhythm section. Both the drummer and bassist are incredibly adept yet subtle in their playing. The bassist in particular is fantastic, providing a great undercurrent yet never resorting to showy finger tricks. Kro Ni Ka has excellent dynamics with a warm sound perfectly captured in a good room. And finally, the keyboards have a very 70s, vintage sound that might warm the hearts of anyone who pines for Tony Banks of yesteryear.

If Forgotten Silence can overcome the monumental doubts of a progressive rock hater such as myself, imagine how they might appeal to fans of the genre. Take note, progheads, this is how it is properly done.

Review by John Chedsey

Review date: 01/2010

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