Canvas of Silence As the World Tree Fell Review by Gary Hill
This could probably fit under heavy metal. I thought about putting it there. The mix of progressive rock and metal on the set works well no matter how you classify it, though. This is a dynamic and powerful set from start to finish.
This review is available in book (paperback and hardcover) form in Music Street Journal: 2026 Volume 1. More information and purchase links can be found at: garyhillauthor.com/Music-Street-Journal-2026.
Track by Track Review
Watching the World Tree Fall
This comes in with atmospheric stuff. It launches out into power house prog metal jamming as it continues. This is a smoking hot piece of music that calls to mind things like Dream Theater. It has some great twists and turns. The vocals join around the two-and-a-half minute mark and bring a different dimension.
Humanimal
This is built on a monster riff. The tune is heavy with metallic fury, but it’s also got plenty of prog in the mix. The track works through a number of changes and modes. At times it leans more on the progressive rock angle. At other times it goes all in on the metal.
Anthem for Ashes
This track is definitely more of a pure metal song. It manages to bring enough prog to keep it from becoming completely heavy metal, though. It’s another dynamic and thrilling piece of music.
Drown
Classical music and heavy metal merge as this monster gets underway. This thing has some of the fiercest and more driving metal of the whole album. Yet the arrangement itself and its twists and turns land it into progressive territory.
One With the Wind
Heavy and fierce at times, this also includes some of the mellowest passages of the whole disc. The mix here isn’t far removed from epic metal, but I think it fits better under the metallic prog heading. No matter how you label it, though, it’s another effective piece of music.
Wayfarer
Another powerhouse stomper, this has plenty of metal within a proggy arrangement. This thing gets incredibly powerful and dramatic before it’s over. It’s one of the highlights of the set for me.
The Great Unknown
The mix of prog and metal on this works really well. This is another monster of a track and another standout.
Garden of the Fallen
The closer comes in mellower with a real folk prog meets symphonic approach. That holds it as it builds outward. The song is nearly halfway through before it breaks out into metallic zones.