Gronholm - SILENT OUT LOUD CD

September 19th 2011 sees Gronholm release their sophomore album ‘Silent Out Loud’ on Lion Music. Home to 10 tracks full of infectious vocal melodies over dynamic musical backdrops; ‘Silent Out Loud’ is an impressive collection of song craft all topped off with a powerful production and mix. Gronholm the band is built around the song writing skills of Mika Gronholm (guitar, bass and keyboards) with vocals once again by Markku Kuikka (Status Minor) and drums from Tom Rask. This core trio of musicians are joined by ‘special guests’ Billy Sherwood (ex Yes) and Marco Hietala (Nightwish / Tarot) who add some extra dynamics to backing vocals, and in the case of Sherwood help add his trademark lush ‘Yes style’ vocal harmony sheen to the likes of ‘Out From The Nest’ amongst others. Whilst the new offering aside from a greater emphasis on guitar has a sound not too dissimilar to its well received predecessor ‘Eyewitness Of Life’. The new album sees Mika take a heavier approach to his song writing utilising a down tuned B tuning for all stringed instruments. On the change Mika comments, "All the songs on "Silent Out Loud" are tuned down to low B. Sometimes B-tuning is used for roaring vocals or lighting fast guitar parts, but no, not this time. With this tuning I was seeking more power and energy to my riffs". Silent Out Loud’s first six tracks are all up-tempo numbers where the new tuning is given a fine showing between the heavy packed hard rock riffs with some prog influenced melodies. As the album nears its conclusion we see an instrumental offering in ‘Giant Step’ which clears the minds palette for the acoustic flavour that is heard on the final 3 tracks with album finale ‘Away’ also getting an orchestral arrangement.