Silent Knight (band)

Silent Knight is an Australian heavy metal band from Perth, Australia. Dubbed by journalists as “the Australian Kings of Power Metal,”Munro, Acky. “EvilutionE5150 Album Review: Silent Knight – Conquer and Command” (https://www.freakinawesomenetwork.net/2015/10/evilutione5150-album-review-silent-knight-conquer-and-command/). Freakin’ Awesome Network. Retrieved September 15, 2019. “Australia’s leading power metal band,”McCool, Mafiia. “Aussie Metal Bands Silent Knight and Let’s Kill Uncle Dominate in Bali Festival” (https://rockatnight.com/2015/10/aussie-metal-bands-silent-knight-and-lets-kill-uncle-dominate-in-bali-festival/). Rock at Night. Retrieved September 15, 2019. and “one of the most formidable melodic metal bands in the Country,”Reid, Chris. “Interview with Stuart McGill of Silent Knight” (https://amnplify.com.au/portfolio-items/interview-with-stuart-mcgill-of-silent-knight/). Amnplify. Retrieved September 15, 2019. they have “long been Perth’s big players on the Power Metal scene, armed with songs to take on the world.”Rockpit, Mark. “Silent Knight – Conquer and Command” (https://www.therockpit.net/2015/silent-knight-conquer-and-command/). The Rockpit. Retrieved September 15, 2019. Silent Knight has released two studio albums and two EPs,“Silent Knight” (https://www.metal-archives.com/bands/Silent_Knight/3540360659). Encyclopedia Metallum: The Metal Archives. Retrieved September 15, 2019. and regularly performs throughout Australia in a headlining capacity as well as opening for high-profile international touring acts, while also making select appearances at major festivals in Europe and Asia.
==History==
Silent Knight was formed by guitarists Stu McGill and Cameron Nicholas in late 2009.“Interview: Silent Knight” (http://metal-roos.com.au/interviews/silent-knight-16). Metal-Roos. Retrieved September 15, 2019. The band has strong power metal roots and is influenced heavily by melodic European bands and the aggressive speed of American bands like Iced Earth and Megadeth. Initially, McGill and Nicholas were joined by Zoran Cunjak (vocals), Cameron Daw (bass) and Paul Wrigley (drums).
In February 2013, Silent Knight released their debut album, Masterplan, to strong reviews worldwide, with Metal Temple proclaiming Silent Knight to be “one of the best bands of 2013.”Ham, Samantha Lynn. “Silent Knight – Masterplan” (http://www.metal-temple.com/site/catalogues/entry/reviews/cd_3/s_2/silent-knight.htm). Metal Temple. Retrieved September 15, 2019. An Australian tour followed, as well as shows supporting legendary former Iron Maiden vocalists Paul Di'Anno and Blaze Bayley and Finnish folk metal masters Korpiklaani.“Interview: Silent Knight” (http://metal-roos.com.au/interviews/silent-knight-16). Metal-Roos. Retrieved September 15, 2019. 
2014 saw the departure of Cunjak and Wrigley, who were replaced by Turkish born vocal powerhouse Jesse Onur Oz and well-known Australian drummer Dan Grainger, respectively. Silent Knight released a new EP entitled Power Metal Supreme in October 2014. The EP featured one new original composition, “Prisoner of Your World,” live versions of four tracks from the Masterplan album performed by the new lineup, and “Keeper of the Seven Keys,”.“Silent Knight” (https://www.metal-archives.com/bands/Silent_Knight/3540360659). Encyclopedia Metallum: The Metal Archives. Retrieved October 9, 2019.
Silent Knight’s momentum continued to build in 2015. In response to growing international demand, the band performed abroad for the first time that year in front of thousands of people in Jakarta, Indonesia at the Hammersonic Festival, which is the biggest metal and rock festival in Southeast Asia.“Hammersonic Festival” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hammersonic_Festival). Wikipedia. Retrieved September 15, 2019. Shortly thereafter, Silent Knight landed a gig performing with well-known Megadeth bassist David Ellefson.Aarons, Ricky. “David Ellefson Spoken Word Tour @ Civic Hotel, Perth” (https://themetalreview.com/david-ellefson-spoken-word-tour-civic-hotel-perth/). The Metal Review. Retrieved September 15, 2019. The band returned to the studio and, in October 2015, released their second full-length album, Conquer & Command.“Silent Knight” (https://www.metal-archives.com/bands/Silent_Knight/3540360659). Encyclopedia Metallum: The Metal Archives. Retrieved September 15, 2019. Once again, the reviews from the heavy metal press were highly favorable, with one journalist deeming the album “[u]nmissable for fans of Power Metal worldwide.”Rockpit, Mark. “Silent Knight – Conquer and Command” (https://www.therockpit.net/2015/silent-knight-conquer-and-command/). The Rockpit. Retrieved September 15, 2019. Original drummer Paul Wrigley returned to the band for the ensuing tour, which included dates throughout Australia; an appearance at the Daimonous Open Air Festival in Bali, Indonesia;McCool, Mafia. “Aussie Metal Bands Silent Knight and Let’s Kill Uncle Dominate in Bali Festival” (https://rockatnight.com/2015/10/aussie-metal-bands-silent-knight-and-lets-kill-uncle-dominate-in-bali-festival/). Rock at Night. Retrieved September 15, 2019. and opening slots for HelloweenWilliams, Gareth. “Helloween, Silent Knight @ Capitol” (https://themusic.com.au/article/wWHS1dTX1tk/helloween-capitol-gareth-williams/). The Music. Retrieved September 15, 2019. and Zakk Wylde’s Black Label Society.“Black Label Society – Gig Review 25th November @ Fremantle Metropolis, WA” (https://wallofsoundau.com/2015/11/26/black-label-society-gig-review-25th-november-fremantle-metropolis-wa/). Wall of Sound. Retrieved September 15, 2019. 
In January 2017, Silent Knight released their second EP. Entitled The Angel Reborn, the EP featured a re-recording of “When the Fallen Angel Flies” from the Masterplan album, live versions of four favorites off Conquer & Command, “The Raven’s Return,” and Megadeth favorite “Holy Wars … The Punishment Due,” which was again selected by the fans in an online poll.“Silent Knight” (https://www.metal-archives.com/bands/Silent_Knight/3540360659). Encyclopedia Metallum: The Metal Archives. Retrieved October 9, 2019. This limited-edition release was completely sold out prior to its official release date.
Also in 2017, Silent Knight acceded to longstanding clamor from their fan base and re-recorded the entire Masterplan album under the moniker The Masterplan, featuring the current lineup, revamped artwork, and significantly improved production. The end result was well-received, with one journalist calling the re-recording “exponentially more powerful” than the original and “strongly recommended for all fans of Power Metal.”Reid, Chris. “Silent Knight – The Masterplan (Album Review)” (https://amnplify.com.au/portfolio-items/silent-knight-the-masterplan-album-review/). Amnplify. Retrieved September 15, 2019. Dan Grainger returned to the band on drums in time for the ensuing live activities, which included a show with international power metal sensations DragonForce,Williams, Gareth. “Dragonforce – Gig Review & Photo Gallery 20th June @ Capitol, Perth WA” (https://wallofsoundau.com/2017/06/21/dragonforce-gig-review-photo-gallery-20th-june-capitol-perth-wa/). Wall of Sound. Retrieved September 15, 2019. a successful tour of Germany including an appearance at the 20th anniversary of the prestigious Headbangers Open Air Festival where Silent Knight “took the stage by force,”Brown, Jason. “Headbangers Open Air” (http://www.friday13thmetal.co.uk/Live%20Reviews/new_page_1.htm). Friday 13th Zine. Retrieved October 9, 2019. and yet another Australian tour. By this time, reviewers were describing Silent Knight as “power metal behemoths” who are “unbeatable in their field.”Massie, Andrew. “Live Review: Silent Knight / Taberah / Mason / Remission – July 14th 2017” (https://www.therockpit.net/2017/live-review-silent-knight-taberah-mason-remission-july-14th-2017/). The Rockpit. Retrieved October 9, 2019.
As of November 2019, Silent Knight are well into the writing process for full-length album #3. The band’s first new studio output in two years was a cover version of Gamma Ray’s “Dethrone Tyranny” released in June 2019 as a digital single, and on a Gamma Ray tribute cassette via Burning Sun Records in Hungary.“Italy’s Airborn to Cover ‘Gardens of the Sinner” on Gamma Ray Tribute Album; Teaser Streaming” (http://bravewords.com/news/italys-airborn-to-cover-gardens-of-the-sinner-on-gamma-ray-tribute-album-teaser-streaming). BraveWords. Retrieved October 9, 2019. Several live performances followed, including another support slot with Finish folk heroes Korpiklaani.Massie, Andrew. “Live Review: Korpiklaani – Perth, May 26th 2019” (https://www.therockpit.net/2019/live-review-korpiklaani-perth-may-26th-2019/). The Rockpit. Retrieved September 15, 2019. Late 2019 finds Silent Knight performing at multiple international festivals, including a headlining appearance at the November Rain Festival in Semarang, in the Central Java province in Indonesia, as well as a slot at the Southern Gathering Festival in Melbourne, Australia, alongside Turilli / Lione Rhapsody, among others. They will also be playing a show in support of former Manowar guitarist Ross the Boss.
==Discography==
* Masterplan – February 2013
* Power Metal Supreme EP – October 2014
* Conquer & Command – October 2015
* The Angel Reborn EP – January 2017
* The Masterplan - July 2017 (re-recording of Masterplan album)
* ″Dethrone Tyranny″ single - June 2019
==Band Members==
* Stu McGill - guitars, vocals
* Cam Nicholas - guitars (lead)
* Cameron Daw - bass
* Dan Grainger - drums
==Silent Knight (band) songs and videos==
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== References ==
==External links==
* Silent Knight (band) Official Youtube
* Silent Knight (band) Official Facebook
Category:Australian heavy metal musical groups