Mike LePond's Silent Assassins Strike Hard

The superb new offering from Mike LePond's Silent Assassins is a unique and dynamic blend of melodic traditional, power and speed metal that is always engaging and sure to delight headbangers of all ranks. The disc, "Whore of Babylon," is available now through a number of platforms - see http://hyperurl.co/MLSAWhoreOfBabylon?fbclid=IwAR2ny3_wlYw_tbIsU00YH3SXBmgA6Tcet67C4xHYFYMnXKe8kpp04sRe_pw

The third album from the band led by the astoundingly talented Symphony X bassist LePond and featuring seriously heavyweight vocals from man of all bands Alan Tecchio (Level Fields, Watchtower, ex-Hades, ex-Non Fiction, ex-Seven Witches) shows a group that has grown into a lethal unit. LePond plays all guitar sans leads, which are handled admirably by Lance Barnewold and Rod Rivera. LePond's Symphony X bandmates Michal Romeo and Michael Pinnella also take part. Romeo contributes drum programming, orchestration and mandolin while Pinnella plays piano and organ.

"Whore of Babylon" is a diverse album with many moods. It includes intense, breakneck speedsters like album opener "Dracul Son," which bursts out of the gate with a fiery riff and a trademark Tecchio scream, and the whiplash-inducing "Ironborn." Impressively, the band does not trade melody for speed on these tracks. There are also majestic power metal numbers like the Celtic-influenced "Night of the Long Knives" and "Power of Steel" and the churning "Ides of March." Tecchio gives way to Mindmaze singer Sarah Teets on the moving "Champion."

The album's standout tracks include " Telltale Heart," based upon the Edgard Allan Poe short story on which Tecchio does an excellent job of conveying the protagonist's growing paranoia and raises the bar on his already otherworldly vocals in the chorus. Epic album closer "Avalon" features LePond's inimitable bass work.

The band's namesake puts his mesmerizing stamp throughout the album, leaving listeners in disbelief of his immense talent. LePond is a master of the instrument, playing 4 and 8-string bass. His punchy, elastic, fluid style is especially evident in his solo on "Champion" and his intro to "Avalon." Also check out his nimble fretwork on "Tell Tale Heart" and "Ides of March." Furthermore, LePond wrote all the music, melodies and lyrics for the set.

Overall, "Whore of Babylon" is a fully realized album from start to finish. Whether you prefer listening on headphones and dissecting every part or blasting it on your stereo while cruising down the highway, "Whore of Babylon" fits every bill.

We recently had the pleasure of speaking with singer Alan Tecchio.

The album starts out with "Dracul Son," arguably the fastest, heaviest track in Silent Assassins' catalogue, that is until you get to "Ironborn." Did the band seek to make a heavier album this time around?

I think it has its more aggressive moments but I wouldn't say it's a speed metal album overall. There are so many unique sounding and diverse songs. There are more moods.

In your other bands you write the lyrics and melody lines. In Silent Assassins Mike does that work. Is it challenging singing other people's lyrics?

I love what Mike writes. It's not always something I would've written but I love singing the stuff, they're great songs and I give him my all. It's a matter of studying his stuff carefully so you can give a good interpretation of his lyrics and melodies. On "Power of Steel" for example it's a classic, old school metalhead song and I attack it full on to make it convincing.

On every song I give it my all. Mike inspires me to do my best. He gives me a lot of freedom vocally and he's super easy going as a person and a musician, especially considering the level he's on. He's not just really great, he's on a completely different level and always ups the bar for himself. He's got his own sound and no ego or attitude, which isn't always the case with people that talented.

Do you have any particular favorites on the album?

I think the entire album is great but I really love "Avalon," "Tell Tale Heart," the title track and "Night of the Long Knives." "Tell Tale Heart" is probably one of the hardest things I've ever sang in my life. The chorus keeps escalating, with my voice having to step up and get higher with each line. But the entire album from start to finish is solid listening.

What are you most proud about "Whore of Babylon"?

It's a home-run record. There's a lot of great stuff and I find myself listening to it a lot, which I don't always do after completing an album. I've heard the songs a million times and I'm not sick of hearing them. I love reading the lyrics while listening and just immersing myself in the experience.

You've been in the game since Hades' debut, "Resisting Success," in 1987. What keeps you motivated at this stage in your career?

I love singing and songwriting and that I'm still able to perform at a high level. The older I get I realize that people can't sing anymore, or at their previous level, for whatever reason. I consider myself very lucky to be able to be healthy enough and still have ideas to share.