Have you ever listened to a band for the first time, not really knowing what to expect based on the description, and a couple songs in wonder why you are just now discovering this band? I just had this happen with “As the World Tree Fell,” the debut release from Finnish progressive metal band Canvas of Silence. The band describes themselves as “prog-influenced chorus metal,” and I didn’t know how to interpret that. With prog permeating nearly every metal genre out there (which is a good thing!), it can be hard to decipher what it means in a specific context. After quite a few listen throughs (I could not stop listening once I started!), I landed on this description: melodic progressive metal with 90’s rock sensibility. So what does that mean? You get plenty of djent and polyrhythmic sections, great dynamic and tempo shifts, and killer musicianship with powerful drumming and riffs. But then you get these absolutely incredible rock out choruses and a voice that feeds all the 90’s rock nostalgia. Vocalist Loimu Satakieli is incredible, with a unique voice that reminds me of a grungier Alanis Morissette or Björk. Yes, I said Björk, particularly the intonation and delivery. At first it almost sounds out of place, until you realize that it fits the vibe of each song perfectly and crafts a unique sound that just works. Prog is rarely described as “accessible,” but this may be some of the most accessible prog I have listened to. The blend of big rock melodies, emotive vocals, and technical prowess works so well, packing a punch that is glorious.

Also, as an aside, I noticed that this was released by Rockshots Records, who released the Beriedir album I reviewed yesterday. Complete coincidence on my part to do back to back reviews from the same label, but clearly this label is doing something right! This album also proves that Halloween this year was a great metal release day, as it now makes 4 albums released that day that are vying for my end of year top 20!

“Watching the World Tree Fall” starts out with a nearly two and half minute instrumental intro that serves a big helping of atmosphere, keyboards and guitars leading in harmony, crushing riffs, and blazing drums. Things settle down, introducing you to “metal Björk” and an infectious chorus over a nice off tempo rhythm. You get a great guitar solo, smart keyboards, a dose of strings, and a cinematic feel, making for an amazing opening track.

“Humanimal” throws lots at you, but melds it all together in incredible fashion. You get a chunky groove that shows up throughout, great syncopated guitar lead rhythm, epic symphonic elements that make the song sound grandiose, and varied tempos that race, gallop, and crawl, many times within very short time frames. The vocals are just chill-inducing at times, and the chorus is an absolute earworm with an incredible riff to drive it.

“Anthem for Ashes” reimagines “Ring Around the Rosie” in a unique way, with an underlying thrashy prog groove and an overarching melancholic feel. I love the dynamics and light symphonic elements, and the bass and drums get some nice forward exposure.

“Drown” was the first single released, and it is one of my favorites. It starts out ominously and carries that vibe forward through its 2-minute intro, carrying a symphonic atmosphere while bursting with energy with its guitar lead forward melody. Satakieli shows a lot of vocal versatility, showcasing a higher range to go along with her mid range rock voice, while also treating the listener to some light screams at crucial junctures. There is rhythmic complexity and drastic tempo shifts, powerful guitar riffs and big leads, and crushing technical drumming. It is quite the ride!

After a somber intro, “One with the Wind” builds a sense of urgency with a slower rhythmic lyric over a speedy driving underbelly for the verse, and then catapults you into a powerful chorus that will make you want to sing while bopping your head. The song does a great job building mood, mixing fast, stripped back and raw, and atmospheric, and the ending is just fabulous.

“Wayfarer” is my favorite song, hands down. This epic eight and a half minute opus has the most variety of any of the tracks, a delicious progtastic journey with many twists and turns. It is the most consistently heavy song on the album, nearing melodeath territory at times (including more screams!), with a heavy dose of symphonic power accompanying the prog landscape. It features an anthemic earworm chorus that is just majestic, and the myriad melodies throughout are entrancing amidst all the textures. There are so many layers, like a funky bass-driven section in the middle with dreamy vocals that serve as a nice transition, or the background choir during one of the guitar solos, or the raw guitar picking that serves as another transition, or the all out speed assault with symphonic overtones. And what a bombastic glorious finish!

“The Great Unknown” has a driving bass-dominated groove that is complemented nicely by the keys and guitars. The vocal lines are consistently majestic, and the chorus is just phenomenal, painting the song in the light of grandeur. The ending is utterly massive, and the song feels like an album closer in every way. But there is one final track. “Garden of the Fallen” is the least proggy song on the album, presenting more as a rock crooner with fabulous guitar melodies and big vocal lines. If I had one critique for this entire album, I would not have closed with this song. I feel like flow wise it would have done better closer to the middle, with the previous song serving as the closer. But that is just my opinion. Placement aside, it is a great song that continues to showcase the band’s versatility.

This is an amazing first album from Canvas of Silence, and their unique feel makes them stand out in a very good way. Check them out! I certainly hope this is just the first of many outputs from them, and I absolutely would love to experience them live!

Original Instagram review Part 1
Original Instagram review Part 2
Original Instagram review Part 3

Before the release of “As the World Tree Fell,” the recorded vocalist decided to move on from the band, and Canvas of Silence brought in new vocalist Aino Vuorenmaa. It was definitely a potentially dangerous decision to release an album with a different vocalist and then begin playing live shows to support the album with a new vocalist. The band rerecorded “The Great Unknown” with Aino on vocals and released it in January 2026 as a single (YouTube video below). I can confirm that, though she does sound a bit different (mostly a brighter tambor), you still get that “Björk vocal feel” that I felt made this album so unique and different, and Aino is a phenomenal vocalist in her own right!