Seven years after the release of their excellent debut, this American Heavy and Doom Metal supergroup returns with their sophomore beast, setting the course for an even brighter future ahead of them.
Perhaps we should occasionally simply trust the Bible, as we all know it mentions – as well as a number of apocalyptic prophecies – seven years of plenty following seven years of famine. Which brings us to Silvertomb, the New York-based all-star Heavy/Doom Metal band featuring former Type O Negative and Danzig members Kenny Hickey on vocals and guitar, and Johnny Kelly on drums, and their three equally renowned bandmates Joe James (Agnostic Front) on the guitar, Hank Hell (Sheer Terror) on bass, and Aaron Joos on the guitar and keyboards. Seven years after the release of their debut Edge of Existence, the band returns with their sophomore beast entitled The Interpretation Of Nightmares, which sees them end their long hiatus, setting the course for a successful future. “Just as things were really beginning to take off for Silvertomb, our hands were suddenly tied for a number of years due to the pandemic and its long-lasting aftermath; on top of that, I had a drinking problem that urgently needed sorting out,” said Kenny Hickey, looking back at the period between 2020 and 2024.
Brain Matter / No God kicks off with a strong Black Sabbath vibe, with the vocals by Kenny and the sluggish Doom Metal beats by Johnny darkening the skies beautifully, always showcasing the power of the mighty riff. Then after the cryptic and atmospheric interlude Ascension we face an overdose of Doom Metal magic in the form of Graves in the Sky, again blending delicate sounds with the heaviness of sheer doom, while the electric and acoustic guitars by Kenny, Joe and Aaron are truly embracing; followed by You Know, which, despite the soulful sounds emanating form their guitars, is a lengthy interlude that could have been more dynamic.
What starts in a serene way to the whimsical keys by Aaron evolves into a massive beast of Doom Metal titled Prayer for the Paranoid, led by the anguished vocals by Kenny, again inspired by the one and only Black Sabbath; and Distorted follows a similar pattern as its predecessor, sounding gloomy form start to finish, with Hank bringing darkness and groove to their sound armed with his heavy bass. No Way to Live is perhaps the heaviest of all songs in the album, where Kenny is once again insane on vocals supported by the thunderous kitchen by Hank and Johnny while their guitars keep breathing fire in our faces; before we’re treated to When Will You Learn?, a dark and pensive ballad by the band that puts a Stygian ending to the album, showcasing another excellent vocal performance by Kenny.
Showcasing haunting and inspiring songs, and autobiographical lyrics from the most difficult period in Kenny Hickey’s life, The Interpretation Of Nightmares is definitely a must listen for admirers of the fusion of Heavy and Doom Metal. “Even more so than on our debut, The Interpretation Of Nightmares blends the atmosphere of Pink Floyd’s The Wall with the raw heaviness of Black Sabbath’s first album and the psychedelic hues of T. Rex,” explains Kenny, who chose Swiss-British artist Johann Heinrich Füssli’s famous oil painting The Nightmare from 1781 as an inspiration for the cover artwork, courtesy of Chad Hammett. Having said all that, you can find those talented musicians on Facebook and on Instagram, stream their music on Spotify, and of course purchase the album from several locations like their own Bandcamp. Although the excellent The Interpretation Of Nightmares is already their second release, it’s also just the beginning of a new chapter in their career, and we can rest assured while bands like Silvertomb keep delivering high quality music like what’s in their new album, our good old Rock N’ Roll will never die.
Best moments of the album: Brain Matter / No God, Prayer for the Paranoid and No Way to Live.
Worst moments of the album: You Know.
Released in 2026 Steamhammer
Track listing
1. Brain Matter / No God 3:24
2. Ascension 0:57
3. Graves in the Sky 5:13
4. You Know 3:25
5. Prayer for the Paranoid 4:32
6. Distorted 4:46
7. No Way to Live 5:06
8. When Will You Learn? 5:27
Band members
Kenny Hickey – vocals, guitar
Joe James – guitar
Aaron Joos – guitar, keyboards
Hank Hell – bass
Johnny Kelly – drums
