UMUR
"From the Darkest Depths of the Imagination" is the debut full-length studio album by US, California based thrash metal act Silent Scream. The album was released through Tombstone Records in 1992. Silent Scream formed in 1987 and released three demos in the late 80s/early 90s before being signed for the release of "From the Darkest Depths of the Imagination". It would be their sole album release in their original run, as they disbanded in 1994. By 1992 releasing an album in this style, must have felt like climbing a steep hill, and Silent Scream probably felt discouraged by the lack of interest from labels, media, and the buying audience.
Silent Scream play a raw and brutal style of thrash metal, but despite their Slayer influenced name, it´s not their fellow Californians they sound like. As a result of lead vocalist/bassist Mario Atencio´s voice and vocal style I´m sometimes reminded of artists like Rigor Mortis and Sindrome, but artists like Devastation and Demolition Hammmer are valid references too. It´s heavy, it´s raw, and it´s dark and aggressive thrash metal performed by a well playing band. "Matrix of Madness" features a bit of stardust too, as Dark Angel drummer Gene Hoglan guests playing a guitar solo.
Quality wise the material is decent but not exactly top notch thrash metal. For that it lacks more memorable moments and some recognisable killer riffs. The vocals are quite brutal for the genre, although they aren´t death metal growls, but they are delivered in a relatively typical staccato thrash metal style, which isn´t anything out of the ordinary. The sound production is decent, but again not the best sounding thrash metal production out there. The guitars are a little on the thin side, and the bass drum occasionally has a thump sound. So upon conclusion "From the Darkest Depths of the Imagination" is a decent quality thrash metal release, but it does not reach the excellent mark very often and a 3 star (60%) rating is therefore warranted.
