Silent Planet: Surrendered Self-Reflection

Gritty and raw. Loud screamers, SILENT PLANET, have triumphed in their latest collection of metalcore songs. Out for release on November 12th 2021, their upcoming album, Iridescent, is the band’s fourth complete album under UNFD. The 12-piece track list which has slight nods to their more political roots, changes tack, encapsulating a more personal yet entertaining listen that can be defined as simply epic. And although, the metalcore audience can be one which is difficult to navigate, with a set of strict standardised genre expectations. This impressive collection of works manages to draw in listeners through it’s emotive lyrics, heavy playing and personal attributes of the members.

Whilst still proving themselves as a solid foundation of the scene, SILENT PLANET set themselves firmly apart through their uniqueness and scarce willingness to conform. Creating pieces which may not only be loved by die hard metalcore fans but those who have found a familiar voice in the new lyrics they present.

Stand-out tracks such as Alive, As A Housefire and Terminal showcase the band’s sublime variety, intertwining moments of systemic injustice in one song, whilst the next delicately allows listeners an insight into frontman Garrett Russell’s own personal experiences. This ability to change up the lyrical content whilst still relating to an audience/moment demonstrates how the band have evolved their soundscape exponentially over the last year.

With Iridescent focusing more on the latter, the collection allows for an intricate narrative which is placed over the atmospheric sounds of weighted riffs and melodies. It is this fusion of insane story-telling and music that will surely impress listeners. Connecting the band with their fans as one and thus, creating an intoxicating bond between listeners and musician.

“The aim was to connect with our listeners, I’ve never been about being the most popular band, it’s more about shared experience for me. The proximity of the song feeling similar to a listener’s own experience can be comforting. Because you know, modern life can be isolating,” Russell explains. “Iridescent is about the process of descending into struggle. Terminal, for example, was inspired by my stay in a mental hospital in 2019. It’s about how I, as a sober person, experienced the first-time being high. As I took my medication, my mind started to alter and I saw the craziest stuff. I started to wonder if my hopelessness was too deep to be solved through medication and maybe this was my condition.”

And while Russell admits he had previously used his music as a shield to his internal struggle, it is clear that Iridescent is a display of healing and acceptance. “It’s called Iridescent because of my puppy actually. When I used to look in their eyes, they used to reflect back iridescently. I loved this puppy more than anything and sadly, they died. It made me realise that love is iridescent, because it is never static or the same and so, when something you love dies, although it is painful, the love I felt somehow made it seem worth it.’

This insight into Garrett’s own personal experience, is sure to speak to listeners, creating somewhat of a community for those who pick up on and relate to the melancholy undertones. However, for some it may be a short cry away from what they were probably expecting. In the past, SILENT PLANET have been praised for their somewhat seemingly obscure lyrics and odes to historical contexts. Their 2018 album weaved in references to both the Spanish civil war and the opioid epidemic in the US.

“Art is constantly evolving and while in the past I felt I had to voice things in which I felt culpable to the violence, I instead wanted to do something more personal,” Russell comments. “It is similar in a way, it’s just before I was amplifying the struggle others had been through. Alive, As A Housefire, does cover similar areas though. That song is about the Black Lives Matter protests I witnessed in LA and how I feel the justice system should have been burned to the ground during that time.”

This is not to say the lyrical change will not be welcomed by the seasoned listeners of the band, as the overall musicianship and execution of the album is outstanding. The sheer toughness of the words are crafted with skill, creating a succinctly put together album which is sure to draw in flocks of metal lovers.

Guitarist, Mitchell Stark, puts on a particularly strong display, showcasing his instrumental technique throughout each song and melody. Whilst bassist, Thomas Frecklton, provides angelic like clean vocals throughout Trilogy and drummer, Alex Camarena, gives us that ever thumping, adrenaline-filled beat. When put together, it is easy to see how Iridescent sounds so utterly brilliant.

Influences and inspiration to bands such as LOATHE and DEFTONES are also clear throughout the whole album, with Garrett himself noting the groups as influential in Irididecent’s creation. And so, while SILENT PLANET continues to demonstrate their force to the alternative music industry, it is exciting to welcome this new chapter.

Iridescent sums up what has been a period of solitude and hopelessness for many. It is an album for those who have lost, those who relate and those who have struggled. The band’s ability to feel this with the listeners and surrender their own insights and self-reflection is sure to gain them some well-deserved recognition and traction.

Iridescent is out now via UNFD.

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