Soundless Whisper is a Technical Gothic Rock band from Sweden that formed back in 2010 by Fredrik Bergman and Zharlie Sambeko. When asked how they chose their band's moniker, Zharlie replied: "Soundless Whisper is a reference to the Holy Spirit. It’s a voice within us that cannot be heard with our ears, hence Soundless, and the voice of the Holy Spirit is gentle, so that is why we chose to refer to it as a whisper."
Both Fredrik & Zharlie cut their teeth in various bands prior to forming Soundless Whisper including the extreme Metal band Shadows of Paragon. However, in 2010 Fredrik & Zharlie performed a Rock song in front of their church that Zharlie had written. The song was created in order to help introduce their new pastor which included some thoughts on his vision for the church within the lyrics. After performing the song, they both thought it was fun playing that style of music and decided to put a band together. With Fredrik managing keyboards and Zharlie handling lead vocals, they soon began the arduous task of searching for other musicians. It wasn't long before they contacted Nathanael Crona(TCMV, Karzha) for his extraordinary abilities with the bass guitar. Nathanael quickly joined Soundless Whisper to help hold down the rhythm section for the band. With Nathanael on board, Fredrik & Zharlie moved their focus onto the percussion position which they didn't have to look far to fill. They reached out to Fredrik’s brother Mikael Bergman and he promptly joined the band as their drummer. Mikael has been playing drums since he was three years old and has developed some technical polyrhythmic drumming styles. With drummer-Mikael Bergman added to the group, the band's core roster was now established.
However, Fredrik & Zharlie desired to take their project to the next level and brought on some additional special guest musicians. Both Zharlie and Fredrik grew up listening to Petra and wanted to bring on John Schlitt as a singer to add some familiar vocals to the project. While at a Petra concert in Sweden, they got the chance to greet the band and were able to speak directly with John. At that time, they gave him a CD of their demo songs and asked him if he would do a guest performance on the album. After checking out the material, John contacted the band and happily agreed to be part of the project. With John onboard, Fredrik & Zharlie then brought on guest vocalist-Therése Crona(TCMV) who has been singing probably since before she could talk and is the wife of bass player Nathanael Crona. In addition, they added celloist-Magdalena Bogren and violinist-Beatrice Stavberg. (For a complete list of guest musicians see full list below).
Both Fredrik & Zharlie cut their teeth in various bands prior to forming Soundless Whisper including the extreme Metal band Shadows of Paragon. However, in 2010 Fredrik & Zharlie performed a Rock song in front of their church that Zharlie had written. The song was created in order to help introduce their new pastor which included some thoughts on his vision for the church within the lyrics. After performing the song, they both thought it was fun playing that style of music and decided to put a band together. With Fredrik managing keyboards and Zharlie handling lead vocals, they soon began the arduous task of searching for other musicians. It wasn't long before they contacted Nathanael Crona(TCMV, Karzha) for his extraordinary abilities with the bass guitar. Nathanael quickly joined Soundless Whisper to help hold down the rhythm section for the band. With Nathanael on board, Fredrik & Zharlie moved their focus onto the percussion position which they didn't have to look far to fill. They reached out to Fredrik’s brother Mikael Bergman and he promptly joined the band as their drummer. Mikael has been playing drums since he was three years old and has developed some technical polyrhythmic drumming styles. With drummer-Mikael Bergman added to the group, the band's core roster was now established.
However, Fredrik & Zharlie desired to take their project to the next level and brought on some additional special guest musicians. Both Zharlie and Fredrik grew up listening to Petra and wanted to bring on John Schlitt as a singer to add some familiar vocals to the project. While at a Petra concert in Sweden, they got the chance to greet the band and were able to speak directly with John. At that time, they gave him a CD of their demo songs and asked him if he would do a guest performance on the album. After checking out the material, John contacted the band and happily agreed to be part of the project. With John onboard, Fredrik & Zharlie then brought on guest vocalist-Therése Crona(TCMV) who has been singing probably since before she could talk and is the wife of bass player Nathanael Crona. In addition, they added celloist-Magdalena Bogren and violinist-Beatrice Stavberg. (For a complete list of guest musicians see full list below).
Some of the bands that have influenced members of Soundless Whisper over the years include Evanescence, Petra, Europe, and Saviour Machine just to mention a few.
2023
In 2023 Soundless Whisper released their independent debut full-length studio album titled 'Breakthrough' on Svartskog Productions. SW's album 'Breakthrough' has been in the works for 13 years. The album features a Digipack CD limited to 1000 copies, with a 20-page booklet which includes artwork, lyrics, and information “Behind the Lyrics”. 'Breakthrough' was produced in house by Fredrik Bergman & Zharlie Sambeko through their independent production company called Svartskog Productions. The recording was mixed & mastered by Fredrik Bergman and Zharlie Sambeko at Studio Svartskog. The album's stunning cover art was designed and done by Heli Berg. I have to give Heli props for the cover art because she really nailed it with the over-the-top composition.
This release has a good fresh sound to it as it features unique arrangements, plenty of time changes, varying vocals, a progressive attitude, driving guitars, and technical drum lines.
This release has a good fresh sound to it as it features unique arrangements, plenty of time changes, varying vocals, a progressive attitude, driving guitars, and technical drum lines.
Some tracks that stand out on this 2023 album include track-1 "Dismayed", track-2 "First Aid", track-4 "Dark Cage", track-6 "All It Takes", track-7 "Worst Enemy", track-9 "Breakthrough", track-10 "Love Will Heal".
The full track-list for 'Breakthrough' includes 1.Dismayed 2.First Aid 3.Stop Running 4.Dark Cage 5.Anything Is Possible 6.All It Takes 7.Worst Enemy 8.Escape Those Dreams 9.Breakthrough 10.Love Will Heal.
Zharlie Sambeko does a good job for the band as lead vocalist and shares the stage with guest vocalist-John Schlitt(Petra). John handles lead vocals on various tracks including "Dismayed", "Dark Cage", "All It Takes", and "Worst Enemy". The album features some additional guest vocalists including Therése Crona(TCMV) who handles vocals on tracks: (2, 8, 10), and Frank Ådahl(Edin-Ådahl) who does backing vocals on "All It Takes". Some additional vocals were managed by David Rönnlund, Rebecca Scherling, and Petter Edin-(Choir Vocals).
Not only does Zharlie Sambeko handle lead vocals for the band but she also manages guitars as well. Most of the guitars are pretty basic but add a nice puch to the arrangements throughout this record. Did I hear some Doom guitars on a few tracks? I'm pretty sure I did!
Lyrics are heart felt and show a love for Christ as one can see in the following excerpts:
(Lyrics by Fredrik Bergman & Zharlie Sambeko)
"Dismayed"
Do not be dismayed, do not be dismayed, do not be afraid
You can’t stop dreaming, although you feel like you are awake
And you can’t stop hurting, no matter how many pills you take
Maybe you’ve lost all your faith that your life will be normal
What if the key to retrieve your hope is inside of you
Come to me all you burdened and weary
Take my yoke upon you and you’ll see
I will gently and humbly teach you how to handle your stress
Seek my kingdom and still find never ever ending everlasting rest
"Worst Enemy"
Don’t you assume the world’s against you
Could be admiration or jealousy
You’re not in need of their approval
Created in an image so perfectly
Don’t you assume the world’s against you
Could be admiration, or empathy
You’re not in need of their approval
Try to love yourself and cease to be
Your own worst enemy
"Escape Those Dreams"
Good night, sleep tight
I pray for peace from those dreams tonight
May the Lord keep you safe, he’ll never leave
Watch over as you fall asleep
In his arms, where you are free
You’re in his heart and out of reach from fear
Out of reach from fear
"Breakthrough"
I had this image in my head
Of a fierce God – fan of rituals
Demanding sacrifice instead
Of granting his love unconditional
He was up there
Not down here
He was up there
It is over now, the storm has calmed down
And the time has passed since theology collapsed
My heart was rescued – transformed by the love
By the love of Christ
"Love Will Heal"
It is already done, the gate is wide open
His hands were nailed into the cross He followed through
And the sky grew dark with fear as a mother’s eyes shed tears
It has already been given, His arms are wide open
The veil was torn in two when He died for you
His power was released once and for all
This is for you
"Dismayed"
Do not be dismayed, do not be dismayed, do not be afraid
You can’t stop dreaming, although you feel like you are awake
And you can’t stop hurting, no matter how many pills you take
Maybe you’ve lost all your faith that your life will be normal
What if the key to retrieve your hope is inside of you
Come to me all you burdened and weary
Take my yoke upon you and you’ll see
I will gently and humbly teach you how to handle your stress
Seek my kingdom and still find never ever ending everlasting rest
"Worst Enemy"
Don’t you assume the world’s against you
Could be admiration or jealousy
You’re not in need of their approval
Created in an image so perfectly
Don’t you assume the world’s against you
Could be admiration, or empathy
You’re not in need of their approval
Try to love yourself and cease to be
Your own worst enemy
"Escape Those Dreams"
Good night, sleep tight
I pray for peace from those dreams tonight
May the Lord keep you safe, he’ll never leave
Watch over as you fall asleep
In his arms, where you are free
You’re in his heart and out of reach from fear
Out of reach from fear
"Breakthrough"
I had this image in my head
Of a fierce God – fan of rituals
Demanding sacrifice instead
Of granting his love unconditional
He was up there
Not down here
He was up there
It is over now, the storm has calmed down
And the time has passed since theology collapsed
My heart was rescued – transformed by the love
By the love of Christ
"Love Will Heal"
It is already done, the gate is wide open
His hands were nailed into the cross He followed through
And the sky grew dark with fear as a mother’s eyes shed tears
It has already been given, His arms are wide open
The veil was torn in two when He died for you
His power was released once and for all
This is for you
(See Site Info for Sword Scale meaning)
If you are into bands like Evanescence, Wedding Party, s91, and Harvest Bloom then you are going to love what Soundless Whisper has brought to the table with their debut album. Help support the band and Christian Rock music by procuring your copy of Soundless Whisper's album 'Breakthrough' today!
Purchases can be made at any of the following links:
Musicians:
Zharlie Sambeko(Shadows of Paragon, Karzha) - Lead Vocals, Guitars
Nathanael Crona(TCMV, Karzha) - Bass
Fredrik Bergman(Zharlie) - Keyboards
Mikael Bergman - Drums
Guest Musicians:
John Schlitt(Petra) - Lead Vocals
Therése Crona(TCMV) - Vocals on tracks: (2, 8, 10)
Frank Ådahl(Edin-Ådahl) - Backing Vocals on "All It Takes"
David Rönnlund - Vocals
Petter Edin - Choir Vocals
Rebecca Scherling - Vocals
Beatrice Stavberg - Violin, Viola
Magdalena Bogren - Cello
Zharlie Sambeko(Shadows of Paragon, Karzha) - Lead Vocals, Guitars
Nathanael Crona(TCMV, Karzha) - Bass
Fredrik Bergman(Zharlie) - Keyboards
Mikael Bergman - Drums
Guest Musicians:
John Schlitt(Petra) - Lead Vocals
Therése Crona(TCMV) - Vocals on tracks: (2, 8, 10)
Frank Ådahl(Edin-Ådahl) - Backing Vocals on "All It Takes"
David Rönnlund - Vocals
Petter Edin - Choir Vocals
Rebecca Scherling - Vocals
Beatrice Stavberg - Violin, Viola
Magdalena Bogren - Cello
