Artist: Alesana Album: A Place Where the Sun Is Silent

Year: 2011
Duration: 2:08:17

A of Alesana's A Place Where the Sun Is Silent

Alesana has always been a band that has stood out from the crowd when it comes to their style and sound. Their latest album, A Place Where the Sun Is Silent, is no exception. This album, released in 2011, showcases the band's evolution from post-hardcore to a more mature and complex sound. As a music lover, I was excited to dive into this album and see what the band had to offer. In this post, I will do a of A Place Where the Sun Is Silent, including a brief history of the band, the music genre of the album, the best songs of the album, the most innovative parts, and a critic to the album.
Alesana was formed in 2004 in Raleigh, North Carolina, by vocalist Dennis Lee and guitarist/vocalist Shawn Milke. The band has released five full-length albums to date, with A Place Where the Sun Is Silent being their fourth album. The band has always been known for their theatrical and dramatic sound, with influences from various genres such as post-hardcore, metalcore, and screamo. This album sees the band experimenting with even more sounds and styles, making for a truly unique and dynamic listening experience.
The genre of A Place Where the Sun Is Silent is hard to pin down as it is a fusion of so many different styles. However, the album can be classified as post-hardcore, with elements of metalcore, Gothic rock, and classical music. The use of string sections, piano interludes, and orchestral arrangements adds a layer of depth and complexity to the album, making it stand out from other albums in the post-hardcore genre.
One of the standout tracks on the album is Circle VII: Sins of the Lion. This song is a prime example of the band's ability to seamlessly blend different genres together. The song starts off with a slow and heavy riff before transitioning into a beautiful piano interlude that builds up to a powerful chorus. The use of string sections in the song's bridge adds a cinematic quality that is simply breathtaking.
Another great track on the album is Lullaby of the Crucified. This song starts off slow and melodic before transitioning into a heavy breakdown. The chorus features a duet between vocalists Dennis and Shawn that is both haunting and beautiful. The use of strings in the bridge also adds to the song's emotional impact.
The most innovative part of A Place Where the Sun Is Silent is undoubtedly the concept behind the album. The album is based on Dante Alighieri's The Divine Comedy, with each song representing a different circle of hell. The band's creative use of this concept adds layers of depth and symbolism to the album, making it a truly immersive experience.
While A Place Where the Sun Is Silent is an impressive and innovative album, it is not without its flaws. The album is at times overbearing and indulgent. Some of the tracks, such as A Gilded Masquerade, feel overly theatrical and dramatic, detracting from the album's overall impact. The album's multiple interludes also feel unnecessary and bloated, adding to the album's already long runtime.
In conclusion, A Place Where the Sun Is Silent is a bold and innovative album that showcases Alesana's growth as a band. The band's use of different genres and styles makes for a truly unique listening experience, with standout tracks such as Circle VII: Sins of the Lion and Lullaby of the Crucified. While the album can be indulgent and overwhelming at times, it is still a must-listen for fans of the post-hardcore genre. Alesana has once again proven that they are a band that is not afraid to take risks and push the boundaries of their sound.