Reviews: Veritas – Silent Script (2024)

This review was written by the Angels PR team and provided to us for publication on our website. We are pleased to share their thoughts on this release with our readers.

With Silent Script, Veritas return with an album that makes one thing immediately clear: this is a band that has no interest in reinventing itself for the sake of appearing modern. Instead, they have chosen to refine their own understanding of classic heavy metal, progressive metal and hard rock, producing a record that sounds confident, mature and remarkably comfortable in its own skin.

Following Threads of Fatality, the American quartet takes another step forward without abandoning the foundations that established their identity. Silent Script contains twelve tracks that move naturally between traditional heavy metal power, progressive structures and melodic hard rock, creating a record that feels rooted in the classic era while still sounding like the work of a contemporary band. The album was released in 2023 through Sliptrick Records and runs for just under fifty minutes.

The opening track, “Limit,” wastes no time. A sharp, traditional metal attack immediately puts the guitars at the centre of attention, while Denny Anthony delivers a vocal performance that carries both authority and melody. It is a strong opener because it doesn't overcomplicate the formula. The riffs do the talking.

“Creation Groans” continues in a similarly classic direction, bringing an unmistakable old-school heavy metal flavour into the equation. There is a vintage quality to the guitar work, but the band never sounds like they are simply recreating an era. Instead, they understand the importance of dynamics, allowing the songs to breathe before hitting with the heavier passages.

As Silent Script progresses, the progressive side of Veritas becomes increasingly prominent.

“Buried” is a particularly effective example, combining melodic songwriting with more sophisticated arrangements and a darker atmosphere. The influence of the classic American progressive metal scene is obvious, with echoes of Queensrÿche and Fates Warning appearing throughout the album, but Veritas uses those influences as a foundation rather than a blueprint.

That becomes even more apparent on “Unchained.” The song has a distinctly Queensrÿche-inspired character, particularly in its vocal melodies and guitar-driven arrangements, yet it retains the heavier edge that separates Veritas from straightforward progressive rock.

Then comes “Betraying Sight,” one of the album's strongest moments. Here, the heavy and progressive sides of the band meet almost perfectly.

The riffs have weight, the rhythm section remains muscular, and the arrangements introduce enough movement to keep the song unpredictable without sacrificing its immediate impact.

And this is where Veritas are at their best.

They understand that progressive does not necessarily mean complicated.

Greg Wenk's guitar work is undoubtedly one of the album's major strengths. His riffs are memorable rather than merely technical, while the lead work provides enough virtuosity to satisfy listeners who enjoy classic progressive metal. The musicianship is impressive, but it is always placed in service of the songs.

The rhythm section deserves equal credit. Geno Alberico's bass lines add considerably more than simple low-end support, while Mark Zonder's drumming gives the album an unmistakable sense of authority. His playing is powerful but controlled, particularly when the arrangements become more progressive. The combination creates a solid foundation underneath Wenk's guitar work.

Denny Anthony, meanwhile, delivers the kind of performance that suits this material perfectly. His voice has the classic metal character necessary for the heavier tracks, but he is equally effective when the band moves toward more melodic and progressive territory.

The latter part of the record continues to explore that balance. “Oxygen,” “More Than I Can Say,” “One People” and “Somniloquy” reveal different shades of the band's songwriting, while the lengthy “Modulate” serves as a fitting finale, giving the musicians more space to stretch beyond the traditional song format.

Interestingly, the title Silent Script does not refer to a strict conceptual storyline. According to guitarist Greg Wenk, the “silent script” represents the story each person writes through their life, while the lyrics are intentionally left open to individual interpretation. That approach fits the album well: there is enough atmosphere and ambiguity for the listener to attach their own meaning to the songs. 

If there is one criticism, it is that Veritas sometimes stay a little too close to their influences. The album wears its love for classic American metal openly, and listeners already familiar with Queensrÿche, Fates Warning and the traditional progressive metal scene will recognize many of the musical references. There are moments when one wishes the band would take a few more risks and push their own identity even further.

But that is a relatively minor complaint.

Because Silent Script succeeds precisely because Veritas know what kind of band they are.

This is heavy metal played by musicians who value songwriting, melody and musicianship equally. There is no unnecessary modernisation, no attempt to chase trends and no obsession with technicality for its own sake. Instead, the album delivers riffs, strong vocals, progressive arrangements and plenty of classic metal attitude.

Silent Script may not be revolutionary, but it doesn't need to be.

It is the sound of a band becoming more confident in its own language — and that makes this second chapter considerably stronger than a simple continuation of their debut.

Verdict: 8.5/10

Support independent metal journalism — Visit the official BTC store