A.C.T. – Silence

One new album in two parts with no less than nineteen songs, built on a proud and strong Swedish musical heritage. Three letters with no given explanation. Four decades of musical influence incarnated. Five young men with remarkable handling skills of their respective instruments.

This is A.C.T.

The Music

Although the band has come up with a rather elaborate term for their music (namely Melodic/Prog/Rock/Pomp/Pop), it is hard to define their expression other than being larger than the sum of their influences. Apart from this, A.C.T. presents a positive, upbeat, and melodic feeling, carefully wrapped in soulful honesty. Sure, there have been questions to their slightly schizophrenic approach, but with their fourth album, Silence, it all comes together better than ever. And, with a solid label like Inside Out Music on the hook, the band is likely to reach out to the many who still haven’t had the pleasure to hear them.

Silence is not just pleasing; it also demands quite a bit from the listener. But then again, with an opener like “Truth Is Pain,” A.C.T. more than indicate where your focus should be for the next hour or so. Along with the next nine songs, this one makes up the first half of the album. The second half is made up of nine parts forming a kind of suite called “Consequences,” which contemplates on life’s bizarre turns and their consequences. A quite tragic setting, yet told with a spiritual zest free of drooling sentimentality.

Apart from the paler “Into The Unknown,” the first half offers a truly fine selection of musical chocolates. “Truth Is Pain” is already mentioned, but soaring with it are songs like the original ballad “Wonderful Earth,” the highly inventive “Out Of Ideas,” and not to forget “Useless Argument” with its incredibly groovy and entertaining solo part. Looking at “Consequences,” one might feel the songs pull in different directions, leaving the suite a little less homogenic than expected. This is more apparent when measured against the strong individual character of the first half of the album. It does, however, appear more homogenic and offer great musical moments and a dynamic range to envy, when experienced on a more isolated level.

The Band

A lot happens in the interplay between Jerry Sahlin and Ola Andersson (on keyboards and guitars respectively) … fluently supported by vital drummer Thomas Lejon and concise bassist Peter Asp. Fronting the band is expressive singer Herman Saming, duly supported by the intricate harmony vocals by Sahlin and Andersson. Certainly there is more to their chemistry than mere rehearsing!

Picture a tree: the deep roots you can’t see, the erect and patient trunk, the widely spread branches, the swaying twigs, and the sun-drinking levees playing in the wind. Five parts in symbiotic perfection. The same goes for A.C.T. The individual vocal and instrumental handling skills are all superb, but the magic happens on a collective level, where clever arrangements and attractive melodies come alive. And speaking of live — those who have seen the band on stage will surely testify to A.C.T.’s performing brilliance.

It should be noted that Silence is neatly seasoned with occasional violins and cello, however the people behind these instruments are not revealed in the promotion material available.

The Verdict

With such diversified musical inspiration captured so convincingly and soulfully, Silence is bound to find an equally diversified audience. It deserves to! There is absolutely no reason why you shouldn’t obtain your copy of the album. Just do it before it’s too late …

The Facts

… because A.C.T.’s first two albums are hard to get, but their 2004 release, Last Epic, is still available. See, chances are good you’d soon ask for more from this highly original band, if Silence is your first encounter …