Watching in Silence [Enhanced, Import, Limited Edition]

Circle II Circle | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 5, 2003)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced, Import, Limited Edition
• Label: Afm
• ASIN: B00008NUWS
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #477,670 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

2003 debut album from amazing band built around former Savatage singer Zak Stevens. The limited digibook edition includes the video, 'Watching In Silence', as well as a multimedia package with wallpapers, photos, & a screensaver. 10 tracks. AFM.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very good, breathtaking!!, May 10, 2004

By 

M. Fonseca "carmarthen" (Thunder) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Watching in Silence (Audio CD)

Uau! Zakk Stevens proved there will be a very healthy life for him after Savatage!! This album is breathtaking. Ok, there's no intention to try to hide the fact that sometimes this sound EXACTLY like Savatage, mainly the Savatage of WAKE OF MAGELLAN. But, anyway, it has its own signature, and, man it really goes with a bang! Great songwriting, impecable production, top musicians. What more do we, metal fanas, want?

I keep guessing what would be the result if Dream Theater had in their line up Stevens as their vocalist, instead of that insipid hair metal singer La Brie...

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Life after Savatage, December 26, 2003

By 

George Dionne (Cape Cod, MA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Watching in Silence (Audio CD)

Savatage comparisons are inevitable, but Circle II Circle start the disc off with riffing muscle on the opening track "Out of Reach." This track helps define Zak's new sound. It's a gritty tone, unlike the polished, high production sounding Savatage songs. Zak still maintains his melodic delivery and passion. There are other songs in this vain where Circle II Circle stands out. "Lies" is an emotionally driven track about anger and frustration with relationships. The beefy guitar riffs help punctuate the message. "The Circle" is a straight power chord arrangement that's pure carnal rock. Now, the Savatage influenced tracks are not hard to find. "Into the Wind" starts of with a nice arpeggio guitar pattern, followed by a spry drumbeat that leads into a monstrous, tuneful chorus. The trademark piano introduction can be heard on the title track, "Watching in Silence" and "Forgiven" (among others). "Walls" is pure Savatage style song writing. A subtle piano followed by acoustic guitars, changed quickly into chugging guitars and thoughtful lyrics. It's clear to see that Zak's proud of his past. The seven minute, vocally impassioned track, "F.O.S." (Fields of Sorrow) concludes the album.

Bottom Line:
Watching In Silence is a powerful melodic rock CD from beginning to end. Zak does a good job of giving Circle II Circle a sound of their own while still paying homage to his Savatage days. A perfect balance of music.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Debut, June 22, 2007

By 

Justin Gaines (Northern Virginia) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Watching in Silence (Audio CD)

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.