The Canadian band was a hit at The Meridian last year, and today they come bearing a gift, their fourth album, A Shipwreck in the Sand, hot off the presses.

Their last album, Arrivals and Departures, was well-received and performed well on the U.S. Billboard charts. In true Silverstein form, the quintet then hit the road with names like A Day to Remember and The Devil Wears Prada.

"The preparation we took with this record was a lot deeper," says Shane Told, the band's frontman, about their new effort. "Subject-wise, it's a completely different record... This record isn't a personal record at all. It's telling a story and it's more about the world today."

The year-long endeavor was a collaborative effort between all members of the group. Paul Koehler, the band's drummer, also played piano and brainstormed about the album's direction.

"It was more of a reflection of what was done at home, or whatever, 'cause we kinda do some work, go away like on tour, and then we kinda think and talk about it," says Koehler about the creative process for this album. "That's where a lot more of the discussion and planning happens than the actual writing."

It's awe-inspiring to think this is the second show of the multi-city schedule that will take them to what seems like a zillion cities around the world. These guys leave their guts on the stage, and the fans embrace it. Their fans are loyalist.

"Houston, make some fuckin' noise!", hollers Told mid-show. The roar of the crowd competes with the sound system. Mosh pits, water, and random debris flies in the crowd while fans rock out, contorting and bumpercar-ing against each other.

Last year, South American fans were treated to a series of concerts in Colombia, Chile, Brazil, Argentina, and Peru. Silverstein fans respond the same in any country.

"Pretty crazy, pretty enthusiastic," recalls Koehler. "They're loud, too! And they know all the words, and they like to sing them as loud as they possibly can."

If you don't live in North America, South America, or the United Kingdom, then you could always catch Silverstein on Myspace, Facebook, Youtube, and on the world's newest obsession, Twitter.

"If you look at my phone right now, it has Twitter called up, so it's something we are embracing more and more," says Told. "It's weird, because when we started the band, this stuff didn't exist."

As Silverstein matures physically and musically, we can expect the consistency they have provided so far in their records.

"We're at the age now where we're getting a little older," says Told, but their schedules and demands continue strong thru the new faze.

The show ends, leaving fans bummed yet assured that they can pretty much count on Silverstein making the rounds into Houston next year; loyalists can then rock once again to their favorite band.

"We are Silverstein from Canada!", declares Told as they close the show and walk off the stage. END