Superbloom (Silent Planet album)

Superbloom (stylized in all caps)[6] is the fifth studio album by American metalcore band Silent Planet. The album was released on November 3, 2023, through Solid State Records and was produced by Daniel Braunstein.[7][8][9] It is the first album to feature the band's new bassist Nick Pocock.

Superbloom
Studio album by
ReleasedNovember 3, 2023 (2023-11-03)
Genre
Length39:02
LabelSolid State
ProducerDaniel Braunstein
Silent Planet chronology
Iridescent
(2021)
Superbloom
(2023)
Singles from Superbloom
  1. ":Signal:"
    Released: July 22, 2022[2]
  2. "Antimatter"
    Released: July 21, 2023[3]
  3. "Collider"
    Released: August 24, 2023[4]
  4. "Anunnaki"
    Released: September 22, 2023[5]

Background and promotion

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On July 22, 2022, Silent Planet's first single, ":Signal:", was debuted.[10][11] On July 21, 2023, the band unveiled the second single "Antimatter" and its corresponding music video.[12][13]

On August 24, the band published the third single "Collider" and an accompanying music video. At the same time, they officially announced the album itself and release date, whilst also revealing the album cover and the track list. The date holds significance for the band as, on that same date in 2022, they were involved in a serious tour van crash that severely injured Garrett Russell, whose dazed state partly inspired the album's creation.[14][15]

On September 22, the band released the fourth single "Anunnaki" along with a music video.[16][17] The music video for "Offworlder" was released November 3, 2023, coinciding with the album release.[18][19]

Critical reception

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Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Distorted Sound9/10[20]
Kerrang!     [21]
Metal Injection8/10[22]
New Transcendence7.5/10[23]
Wall of Sound8.8/10[1]

The album received generally positive reviews from critics. Katie Bird of Distorted Sound scored the album 9 out of 10 and said: "Overall, Superbloom is one of the best metalcore albums of the year. Silent Planet are on top form, and they embrace both their future and past. The production means that the album never loses focus, and by sticking to two very broad genres the band are free to experiment with whatever sounds they like. This album is a tour-de-force and it should definitely be considered Silent Planet's magnum opus."[20] Kerrang! gave the album 4 out of 5 and stated: "A heavy handedness upsets the balance, occasionally. Overproduction robs excellent vocal performances of their humanity to jarring effect here and there, and a few moments of sheer Meshuggah-styled heaviness pale in comparison to the complexity elsewhere."[21] Metal Injection rated the album 8 out of 10 and stated, "At 39 minutes, Superbloom is hardly an indulgent display from Silent Planet. It actually reflects the actual superbloom event. Like a concentrated, emphatic burst of colorful flowers, the title track emerges from the prog-core ether with sweeping dynamics and multi-layered arrangement—all the while maintaining a surprisingly accessible alt-rock undercurrent. It's so soothing, that the final build-up becomes both surprising and fluid in execution."[22]

New Transcendence gave the album a score 7.5/10 and saying: "While most of the songs on Superbloom do feel a little too futuristic for me, it remains a testament to the band's monstrous skill that I still found myself able to enjoy so many songs in a style I usually avoid. 'Antimatter' and 'Offworlder', cyborgs on Superbloom's track list, remain strong tracks in their own right—even if I would probably forsake them for more songs like 'The Overgrowth', 'Annunaki' or 'Superbloom'. This all makes Superbloom my least favorite entry in Silent Planet's robust discography, but also the most truly unique—and like the Superbloom au natural, something you should absolutely bear witness to."[23] Wall of Sound gave the album a score 8.8/10 and saying: "Discovery of Superbloom is likely to lead people back to Silent Planet. Out of great misery and misfortune, the artefact is equal parts aggressive and melodic. Listeners should be wary of their surroundings when ingesting Superbloom as it may compel them to act violently by marching in circles or wanting to launch above a crowd of people. Melodic sections may relieve feelings of loneliness and lead to group hugging. Repeat listens are likely to reveal further feelings that should be shared with others who have also been on Superbloom."[1]

Track listing

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All tracks are written by Silent Planet (Alex Camarena, Garrett Russell, Mitchell Stark) and Daniel Braunstein.

Superbloom track listing
No.TitleLength
1."Lights Off the Lost Coast"1:08
2."Offworlder"3:22
3."Collider"3:41
4."Euphoria" (featuring Alejandro Aranda)3:39
5."Dreamwalker"4:09
6."Antimatter"3:41
7.":Signal:"3:29
8."Anunnaki"3:01
9."The Overgrowth"3:01
10."Nexus"3:58
11."Reentry"0:51
12."Superbloom"5:02
Total length:39:02

Personnel

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Silent Planet

  • Garrett Russell – lead vocals, guitars
  • Mitchell Stark – guitars, keyboards, clean vocals
  • Nick Pocock – bass
  • Alex Camarena – drums

Additional personnel

  • Daniel Braunstein – production
  • Buster Odeholm – mixing, mastering
  • Alejandro Aranda - clean vocals on track 4, "Euphoria"

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Draven, KJ (October 29, 2023). "Silent Planet – SUPERBLOOM (Album Review)". Wall of Sound. Retrieved November 3, 2023.
  2. ^ "Silent Planet Premiere Music Video For New Single ":Signal:"". ThePRP. July 21, 2022. Retrieved August 24, 2023.
  3. ^ "Silent Planet Release Music Video For New Single "Antimatter"". ThePRP. July 20, 2023. Retrieved July 21, 2023.
  4. ^ "Silent Planet Premiere "Collider" Music Video". ThePRP. August 23, 2023. Retrieved August 24, 2023.
  5. ^ "Silent Planet Release "Anunnaki" Music Video". ThePRP. September 21, 2023. Retrieved September 22, 2023.
  6. ^ "Silent Planet - SUPERBLOOM". Apple Music. August 21, 2024. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  7. ^ Teddy Coward (August 24, 2023). "Silent Planet Announce New Album 'Superbloom'". Rock Sound. Retrieved August 24, 2023.
  8. ^ Marsh, Aaron (August 24, 2023). "Silent Planet announce new album Superbloom: "Making this record was a very strange and mystical process"". Kerrang!. Retrieved August 24, 2023.
  9. ^ "Silent Planet announce new album, share video for new single "Collider"". Lambgoat. August 24, 2023. Retrieved August 24, 2023.
  10. ^ Raza-Sheikh, Zoya (July 22, 2022). "Silent Planet unleash crushing new single :Signal". Kerrang!. Retrieved August 24, 2023.
  11. ^ Aarons, Ricky (July 22, 2022). "Silent Planet Deliver Mathy Number 'Signal:'". Wall of Sound. Retrieved August 24, 2023.
  12. ^ Aarons, Ricky (July 21, 2023). "Silent Planet Experiment With Synth Infused Post-Metalcore Single 'Antimatter'". Wall of Sound. Retrieved July 21, 2023.
  13. ^ Carter, Emily (July 21, 2023). "Silent Planet have shared a personal and powerful new single, Antimatter". Kerrang!. Retrieved August 24, 2023.
  14. ^ "Silent Planet To Release New Album "SUPERBLOOM" In November". ThePRP. August 23, 2023. Retrieved August 24, 2023.
  15. ^ Hatfield, Amanda (August 24, 2023). "Silent Planet announce new LP 'SUPERBLOOM,' share "Collider" (pre-order exclusive aqua vinyl)". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved August 24, 2023.
  16. ^ Aarons, Ricky (September 22, 2023). "Silent Planet Power on With 'Anunnaki' Off Fifth Record Superbloom". Wall of Sound. Retrieved September 22, 2023.
  17. ^ Carter, Emily (September 22, 2023). "Silent Planet have released an unrelenting new single, Anunnaki". Kerrang!. Retrieved November 3, 2023.
  18. ^ "Silent Planet's "Offworlder" Video Is Packed With Sword Fighting And Gunplay". The PRP. November 2, 2023. Retrieved November 3, 2023.
  19. ^ "See SILENT PLANET's action-packed video for new song "Offworlder"". Revolver. November 3, 2023. Retrieved November 11, 2023.
  20. ^ a b Bird, Katie (November 2, 2023). "ALBUM REVIEW: SUPERBLOOM – Silent Planet". Distorted Sound Mag. Retrieved November 3, 2023.
  21. ^ a b Law, Sam (November 2, 2023). "Album review: Silent Planet – SUPERBLOOM". Kerrang!. Retrieved November 3, 2023.
  22. ^ a b Heilman, Max (November 2, 2023). "Album Review: SILENT PLANET Superbloom". Metal Injection. Retrieved November 3, 2023.
  23. ^ a b Welsh, Connor (November 2, 2023). "REVIEW: Silent Planet – Superbloom [2023]". New Transcendence. Retrieved November 11, 2023.