Dead Silence (album)

Dead Silence is the fourth studio album by Canadian rock band Billy Talent. It was released on September 11, 2012 and was produced by the band's guitarist Ian D'Sa.

Dead Silence
Studio album by Billy Talent
Released	September 11, 2012[1]
Recorded	November 2011 – July 2012
Studio	• Armoury Studios, Vancouver • Noble Street Studios, Toronto • Vespa Studios, Toronto • Steakhouse Studios, North Hollywood • Dudebox Studios, Toronto
Genre	Alternative rock punk rock post-hardcore
Length	53:56
Label	Warner Music Canada, Last Gang
Producer	Ian D'Sa
Billy Talent chronology
Billy Talent III (2009) Dead Silence (2012) Hits (2014)
Singles from Dead Silence
"Viking Death March" Released: May 25, 2012 "Surprise Surprise" Released: August 7, 2012 "Stand Up and Run" Released: February 4, 2013 "Show Me the Way" Released: July 31, 2013

The album's first single, "Viking Death March", was released on May 26, 2012. The second single, "Surprise Surprise", was released on August 7, 2012 and reached number 1 on the Canadian rock/alternative chart. Songs featured on the album were nominated at the 2013 Canadian Juno Awards, such as "Viking Death March" for single of the year.

Background

Billy Talent started recording material for Dead Silence on November 25, 2011 and finished in July 2012.^[2] The title and artwork of the album were revealed on the band's Twitter, Facebook and official website on July 11, 2012.^[3] The artwork was created by poster artist Ken Taylor.^[4]

The band released the album on their SoundCloud account on September 4, 2012.^[5]

Singles and music videos

• "Viking Death March"
• "Surprise Surprise"
• "Stand Up and Run"
• "Show Me the Way"
• "Runnin' Across the Tracks"
• "Love Was Still Around"

Online videos were released for both "Runnin' Across the Tracks" and "Love Was Still Around".

The teaser video for "Runnin' Across the Tracks" was revealed on October 2, 2013.^[6] A few weeks later, the full video was released online October 30, 2013.^[7]

A live online video for "Love Was Still Around" was released on May 26, 2015.^[8] The video was directed by touring photography and friend, Dustin Rabin.

Track listing

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Lonely Road to Absolution"	1:15
2.	"Viking Death March"	4:04
3.	"Surprise Surprise"	3:08
4.	"Runnin' Across the Tracks"	4:19
5.	"Love Was Still Around"	3:46
6.	"Stand Up and Run"	3:20
7.	"Crooked Minds"	5:04
8.	"Man Alive!"	3:36
9.	"Hanging by a Thread"	3:53
10.	"Cure for the Enemy"	4:26
11.	"Don't Count on the Wicked"	4:08
12.	"Show Me the Way"	3:06
13.	"Swallowed Up by the Ocean"	5:02
14.	"Dead Silence"	4:49

Reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[9]
Bring the Noise UK
The Five 10
Kerrang!
Melodic.net	[10]
Montreal Gazette
Rock Magazine
Rock Sound
Toronto Sun
Under the Gun	positive

Dead Silence has received positive reviews upon release, most critics praising the change of style from its predecessor, Billy Talent III.

Personnel

• Benjamin Kowalewicz – lead vocals
• Ian D'Sa – lead guitar, backing vocals, producer
• Jonathan Gallant – bass, backing vocals
• Aaron Solowoniuk – drums, percussion
• Ken Taylor – artwork

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2012–13)	Peak position
Australian Albums Chart[11]	36
Austrian Albums Chart[11]	2
Belgian Albums Chart (Flanders)[11]	176
Belgian Albums Chart (Wallonia)[11]	136
Canadian Albums Chart[12]	1
Dutch Albums Chart[11]	94
Finnish Albums Chart[11]	12
German Albums Chart[11]	1
Irish Albums Chart[13]	94
Norwegian Albums Chart[11]	26
Scottish Albums Chart[14]	29
Swedish Albums Chart[11]	52
Swiss Albums Chart[11]	3
United Kingdom Albums Chart[15]	23
US Billboard 200[16]	135
US Heatseekers Albums[17]	3
US Independent Albums[18]	32

Year-end charts

Chart (2012)	Rank
Austrian Albums Chart[19]	59
Canadian Albums Chart[20]	50
German Albums Chart[21]	60

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[22]	Platinum	80,000^
Germany (BVMI)[23]	Gold	100,000^
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.