Detailed Reviews [Silver Hunter - 2015 - "Chapter 1: Mad Moonlighters"]

Prolusion. Silver Hunter is a duo consisting of UK artist Tim Hunter and French artist Thierry Sportouche. The latter is perhaps best known for being the editor of the French progressive rock magazine Acid Dragon for the last few decades. This musical venture was, from what I can see, formed back in 2015. The EP "Chapter 1: Mad Moonlighters" dates back to the same year, and was released through the label Northern Soundscapes.

Analysis. While I don't really know whatever progressive rock credentials this twosome has as songwriters and artists in their own right, Sportouche's involvement makes this venture one that will be of interest for progressive rock fans anyhow. Even if the end result, at least as far as this EP is concerned, may not be the type of music that will have the progressive rock crowd as its main audience. The four songs on this EP are all creations that I'd place inside more of a melodic rock framework. The landscapes explored are gentle and melodic, carefully moving onward in an elegant landscape where the keyboards and the lead guitar compete in a subtle manner as to which should be more elegant and have the smoothest flow. These are atmospheric laden compositions, and in the progressive rock environment I suspect that those generally fond of the more broadly appealing varieties of the neo-progressive rock tradition will feel most at home with the landscapes explored here. We do get a little bit of a Floydian feel on the track 'Mad Laughter', and the longer and more elaborate 'Drive Out the Demons' does add a little bit more of an art rock feel with its ebb and flow structure, but for those with a more strict perception and understanding of progressive rock as a style and a tradition this EP isn't one that they will define inside of that framework I suspect. I will also add that some of the vocals are a little bit of a hit and miss on this EP. Due to accent more than anything, a feature that some will find charming of course (cue an obligatory Eloy reference whenever accent is a topic) but that others may not be quite as enthralled with.

Conclusion. While it is an interesting fact that one of the long time supporters of the progressive rock scene is one of the two driving forces behind this multinational venture, the music itself isn't of a kind and nature that will appeal all that much among more strict progressive rock fans. But those who tend to enjoy a more flowing and melodic variety of melodic rock, and regard some subtle progressive rock tendencies here and there as a positive in such a context, might want to take a listen to this EP.

Progmessor: April 2025
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