SOEN: Lotus (2019). My "review"...

  After the release of the very good Lykaia (2017), SOEN returned with an even better album.

  I added the album in my collection almost a month ago and I keep listening to it on a rather often basis. Yes, I will agree with all those who are stating that SOEN sound like a mix of Tool and Riverside on many occasions, but that’s not the case. Every band in our days is influenced by other bands, and that is something not very easy to hide.

  The feeling I get when I listen to Lotus is that this time SOEN tried to move away from their usual Tool-like sound, and create something new and more personal. Have they succeeded? Well, not exactly. Still, their influences are present and obvious, but the band seems to be heading into a new musical direction. And that is something good in my opinion.

  The album includes lots of powerful moments, and a few melodic ones, like for example the wonderful title song.

  Every fan of this style of music will definitely find some songs to like in Lotus, but speaking for myself, the songs I like the most so far are: Lunacy, Covenant, Martyrs and of course Lotus.

  I am not going to get into details for each song separately, because my opinion doesn’t really matter, since each person has its own point of view. But I strongly recommend to listen to this album, but not only once. Give it some time and be sure that it will grow on you.

  For me, Lotus is one of the best releases of 2019 so far.

Here's a sample: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLSh0E0Rikc

                   Totally recommended!

                    My Rating: 4.0 Stars

JUDAS PRIEST: Firepower (2018). My "review"...

  Who would believe that in the year 2018 and with 18 studio albums in their "suitcases", Judas Priest would release something so good and powerful?

  I have been listening to Judas Priest since my teenage years, when at the age of 15 I bought the legendary Sad Wings of Destiny, and my jaw fell to the ground. (Now, many, many years later, I value this album greatly and I am still listening to it from time to time).

 I still have a great respect for this band, but I don't follow their latest releases closely. So, when I learn about Firepower, I thought "oh well"...

But out of plain curiosity, I decided to give it a try. And I dare say that it is the best album I have heard from them in a long time!

  Firepower includes 14 songs, not all of them are really good, but most of them are. (But you won't find a bad song here). Also, despite the absence of K.K Downing, the guitar riffs are really outstanding! So, hat's off to Richie Faulkner and  Glen Tipton for the great work they did here!

  The album's general style reminds me of their older works from mid 80's to early 90's, which means that it includes the typical Judas Priest sound that we know so well.

  Do not expect something unique or new here. It's a very good typical Judas Priest album and that's all! Loud guitars, killer riffs, excellent solos, powerful and loud drumming and of course the familiar voice of Rob Halford, that sounds very good, despite his age. (Rob Halford must be around 67-68 years old now).

 I don't believe that any fan of Heavy Metal will not be satisfied with Firepower, not to mention the fans of Judas Priest.

  This is an excellent old-fashioned Heavy Metal album, with modern production and crystal clear sound! What more can you ask for? 

 Don't hesitate, go out and grab it!

 Firepower is available in CD and double vinyl edition. I have no idea if a digital version is available though.

Favourite songs: Lightning Strike, Children of the Sun, Rising from Ruins, Traitor’s Gate.

                 My Rating: 4.0 out of 5.0 stars

Here's a sample: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUzcxJNZKC4

IMPERIAL AGE: The Legacy of Atlantis (2018). My point of view...

   I had no idea about this Russian Symphonic Metal band, until a couple weeks ago. When I learned that they will be supporting Therion in their live gig in Athens, I made a small research and listen to a few of their songs. Then, I saw them on stage and they were really good! So, I decided to add their brand new album The Legacy of Atlantis to my collection.
  (Don’t think of this piece as a review, because it isn’t one. This is just my point of view and some of my thoughts).

  I don’t consider myself as a fan of Symphonic Metal, but it is the sub-genre that I like the most when it comes to modern Heavy Metal; which means that I can be somehow objective.
  So, the Legacy of Atlantis is the band’s 3^rd album, and it’s a Symphonic Metal opera. If you don’t know the band and their sound, think of them as a mix of Manowar, Therion and Nightwish and you are set. Powerful guitar riffs, “catchy” melodies and refrains and three excellent operatic singers; two females and one male. As it seems they have been influenced by Therion a lot, but they are far more epic, with an almost constant marching beat. Their music could be used in some Medieval movie with lots of battle scenes, or in some video game with a similar theme.

  The album includes 9 songs and has a total running time of almost 50 minutes; which means that is not long but not short also. It has the perfect length  if you ask me.

  This is the first album that I am listening by them, so I cannot compare it with their previous works. But I am pretty sure that very soon I am going to add at least one more in my collection.

  It is rather important that I have the album for almost 10 days now and I have been listening to it on and on, without getting bored of it. Well, so far at least. 

  Believe it or not, I don’t have any favourite songs, simply because I like them all! When I listen to it, I just put it and I let it play from the start till the end. But if I had to choose some, I would say: The Awakening, The Legacy of Atlantis, Life Eternal and The Monastery.

   The Legacy of Atlantis is a very enjoyable, epic and powerful album that every fan of Symphonic Metal should have! Give these guys a chance. Listen to their album!

                        My Rating: 4.0 (out of 5.0) stars.

Here's a couple of YT links in case you are interested:

The Legacy of Atlantis 

The Monastery 

THERION: Beloved Antichrist (2018). My review...

  This is one of the most difficult reviews I even had to write, for many reasons. But I will try to do my best and be as objective as possible.

  A few weeks ago, the Swedish Symphonic Metal band Therion released its 16^th studio album, which is a VERY ambitious (not to say pompous) piece of work. Beloved Antichrist is a Metal opera, based on Vladímir Soloviov’s  story “A Short Tale Of The Antichrist”. The opera is separated into 3 acts (3CD’s) and lasts over 3 and a half hours featuring 29 characters played by 29 singers.

  As you can understand, one of the most important things about this album is the vocals. With so many different singers playing a big variety of roles, this is the thing you will notice first of all. Most of the singers have impressive voices and do an excellent job in their roles, but here lies one of the problems with this album. Because, the impression I got is that, this time the band seems to be a supplement to the opera, and not the other way round. It sounds like there are some musicians who are trying to support the singers and “dress” their voices with the music in the background.

  Another (big) problem is the length of the album. It is long, very long! 3.5 hours of Metal opera is not something easy to digest. (Well, for me at least). It needs a lot of efforts and devotion in order to be able to appreciate what Therion are offering this time. First of all, you will have to stick to the story and try to follow the plot. Because otherwise, it is very difficult to understand what is going on.

  Speaking for myself, I tried to listen to the whole album 3 times, but didn’t make it.  So, I started playing each CD separately. I must admit that it worked better for me.

   On the other hand, Beloved Antichrist is a very impressive album, including some very good songs, excellent guitar riffs, and great vocals! Maybe it’s more opera than Metal, but that doesn’t change the quality of it.

  So, if you’re looking for an experience in the perfect marriage of classical symphonic music and metal, you must look no further than this record. Put the album in your CD player, and get ready for the long journey that you’re going to embark on.

                                  My Rating: 3.0 (out of 5.0) stars

 Here's a few songs for you, to get a first idea:

Temple of New Jerusalem

Theme of Antichrist

Bring Her Back

 

CHRYSILIA: Et in Arcadia Ego (2017). My review on a really wonderful abum!

  This is an album that I discovered recently, and I was really surprised by their sound, their music quality and their compositions; not to mention that they are from Greece. Because there is a possibility that their name doesn’t mean anything to most of you, it is better to begin by writing a few info about the band:

  Chrysilia is a Symphonic/Folk Metal band based in Athens, Greece. Initially a concept child by musical actress & Rock performer Chryso and composer/keyboardist Elias Pero (ex-Sovereign), this quickly evolved into the formation of a band consisting six experienced members. A few months ago, they released their debut album Et in Arcadia Ego, which as I wrote above, I discovered almost a week ago.    
  I can’t say that the “modern” Metal scene is my cup of tea, but this album just blew my mind! Where to begin? From the really good compositions; the “catchy” melodies and the great guitar riffs; or the presence of electric violin? Another very important element is the wonderful female vocals by Chryso, the band’s singer, which gives another dynamic to their sound.

  All members of Chrysilia are excellent and professional musicians, that they know their instruments very well, and that is something that becomes obvious when you are listening to this album. Another fact I really liked is that, they draw their themes and inspiration from the vast Ancient Greek mythology, which is very interesting to say the least. (And familiar to me). (For those who may wonder, I should say that Arcadia is a mountain area in the Peloponnese region in Greece).

  If I would have to find a band that Chysilia reminds me of, I would say Nightwish without a second thought. Just replace the Scandinavian themes with Ancient Greek ones, and you are almost there. But further than the lyrics, Chrysilia’s music is more romantic and more mellow in many parts. (Always in comparison with Nightwish).

  But let’s see how the band itself describes this album: [Our music could be vaguely described as soundtrack metal, having influences from different music genres, ranging from folk, jazz and musicals to power metal. The main theme here is having clean-cut, catchy tunes, no matter how heavy or complicated is the musical background. It’s like listening to a motion picture soundtrack, but on the hard n’ heavy side. Lyrically, this is a concept album based on the idea of Arcadia, as this was depicted in the Renaissance as the dreamland that our souls travel in the afterlife or just by achieving a higher state of intuitive enlightenment. Our album, however, has a metaphorical meaning. It is a journey in time and fantasy, myths and reality, fairy tales and politics, life and death itself, through the eyes of a girl growing up: Her name is... Chrysilia].

  Judging from my reaction, there is a great possibility that Et in Arcadia Ego will be included in my Top-10 list with the best albums of 2017. 
Favourite songs (so far): By the Gates of Ypsus / The Menalon Trail / Desperate Wings / Arcadia / Chrysilia / King of a Stellar War (cover).

  This is a really great and enjoyable album! Try to find and listen to it!

Here's a few samples for you: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FP0L-rj9vX4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tl_fds41aek 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekb-JytwQHo  
My Rating would be 4.0 - 4.5 out of 5.0 stars.