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

 

Prog n Roll radio show, including the Listener's Happy Hour (25/2/2018). The complete playlist.

Hello all!
  Last night the last Prog n Roll radio show of February was on air; which means that it was including the Listener's Happy Hour, during which, we are playing songs requested by our listeners.
  I believe that it was a good show, and as it seemed, our listeners enjoyed it.
Here you can take a look at the complete playlist:
1st Part: AFFINITY: I Am and so are You / JUNIPHER GREENE: Witche’s Daughter / RAW MATERIAL: Time and Illusion / RAMASES: Life Child.
2nd Part: ADVENTURE: Caught in the Web Pt.2 / SUBSIGNAL: Feeding Utopia / RED BAZAR: Queen of the Night Pt.1 / BRIAN MAY: Back to the Light / GRAND TOUR: The Horn of Plenty.

LISTENER’S HAPPY HOUR: 

3rd Part: BLACK SABBATH: Heaven and Hell / STATUS QUO: Big Fat Mama / IQ: Ten Million Demons / MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE: Welcome to the Black Parade / FLYING COLORS: Kayla.

4rth Part: SAVATAGE: When the Crowds are Gone / JETHRO TULL: Teacher / JOHN HACKETT BAND: Winds of Change / RED SAND: Blame.

 I would like to thank all those who spend their Sunday evening with our show once more. I hope you enjoyed it!

Thank you!

GFreedom's Juke Box No.216

Hello all!
  As many of you know already, on (almost) every Saturday morning I am posting here my weekly Top -5 song list for you.
  This week I listened to lots of music, from many different styles and sub categories, as you will realize by looking at my list.
So, from all the songs I've listened to during the week, here are the songs that I considered them to be the best ones:
THERION: Garden of Peace (Beloved Antichrist - 2018)
RED SAND: Blame (Mirror of Insanity - 2004)
QUEEN: Somebody to Love (A Day at the Races  -1976)
LUNATIC SOUL: A Thousand Shards of Heaven (Fractured - 2017)
HAGGARD: Per Aspera ad Astra (Epur Si Muone - 2004)
If you are interested to listen to the songs in my list, just click on the following YT link. I wasn't able to find Garden of Peace by Therion, maybe because it is very new.
Enjoy the music!
RED SAND: Blame
QUEEN: Somebody to Love
LUNATIC SOUL: A Thousand Shards of Heaven
HAGGARD: Per Aspera ad Astra

THERION Live in Greece (8/9-3-2018)

  In almost 2 weeks from now, the Swedish Symphonic Metal band Therion will give 2 live shows in Greece. On Thursday 8th of March, the band will appear at the Principal club in Thessaloniki and the next day at Pireus Academy in Athens.
  Both concerts will be including 3 support bands, so my estimation is that the whole thing is going to last for about 5 hours.
The complete band list is the following:
THERION (Sweden)
IMPERIAL AGE (Russia)
NULL POSITIV (Germany)
THE DEVIL (U.K.)
  I never had the opportunity to saw Therion on stage before, so I decided to go and see them this time.
  I bought my ticket (28€), and now I am simply waiting for the days to pass.
  In case you are interested, here's a link where you can buy your tickets. (The online ticket costs 30,80€): 
8/3/18 Thessaloniki: http://www.ticketmaster.gr/didi-ww/showProduct.html?changeLanguageTo=en&idProduct=2095247&tkhrq=f65307ad-6afb-4560-bf70-86a4915ff3f1&tkhrp=c5692369-9f9f-4585-b912-3c9dff92818c&tkhrts=1519373361&tkhrc=tickethour&tkhre=didi201720&tkhrrt=Safetynet&tkhrh=c302ab9c796260c3a58b2b24150aafa7
9/3/18 Athens: http://www.ticketmaster.gr/didi-ww/showProduct.html?changeLanguageTo=en&idProduct=2095248&tkhrq=fdae9bb5-c91e-4d5d-9b1c-82cc06d93f6c&tkhrp=e6f994d9-9197-46e4-b9ae-b39e659eed62&tkhrts=1519373498&tkhrc=tickethour&tkhre=didi201720&tkhrrt=Safetynet&tkhrh=5399b86f16a1143d0a6051548658eca0

KRAFTWERK Live in Athens with a special 3D show! (3/3/2018)

  I am writing this piece to inform you that in almost 2 weeks from now, the legendary German band Kraftwek will visit Athens for a special 3D show.
  Kraftwerk begun their career in the mid 70's and they are considered to be the pioneers of Electronic music.
  This year, they are touring with a very special show, which is designed to be completely 3D. For that reason, they will be giving special glasses to the entrance to each person. These grasses will have on them the logo of Kraftwerk and the name of the tour.

  I have seen Kraftwerk once in the past and they were really good. So, I cannot even imagine what will happen now with this 3D show. For that reason, I already bought my ticket and I am waiting for the day of the concert to come.
  If you live in Athens or you will be here as a visitor, I believe that this is a unique event that you shouldn't miss!
  In case you are interested, just click on the following link for tickets. (On the upper right part, you will be able to change the language to English).
https://www.viva.gr/tickets/music/tae-kwon-do/kraftwerk/

PROG n ROLL Radio Show (18/2/2018). The complete playlist..

Hello all!
  Last night, one more Prog n Roll radio show was on air as usual. This time, we created a rather different, easy going and "retro" playlist for our listeners, just for a change.
  The playlist was including songs from the 60's and the 70's exclusively, and as it seemed our listeners welcomed this change. We included lots of known songs in it, and not so much Prog like other times.
We had a good crowd listening, from many countries once more, and the 2 hours passed really fast.
Here you can take a look at the complete playlist:
1st Part: THE BYRDS: Mr. Tambourine Man / KALEIDOSCOPE (UK): Dear Nelly Goodrich / THE ROLLING STONES: It’s all Over now / THE MAMAS AND PAPAS: California Dreamin’ / COUNTRY JOE & THE FISH: Sad and Lonely Times / TIM BUCKLEY: Phantasmagoria in Two / JOAN BAEZ: Prison Trilogy.
2nd Part: SIMON & GARFUNKEL: The Boxer / JOHN LENNON: Mind Games / PAUL Mc CARTNEY & WINGS: Band on the Run / DAVID BOWIE: Changes / CROSBY, STILLS & NASH: Cathedral.
3rd Part: MALMSTEEN/DIO: Dream on (music quiz) / ALICE COOPER: Hello Hooray / QUEEN: My Fairy King / SWEET: Love is Like Oxygen / T. REX: Get it on.
4rth Part: STEELY DAN: Kings / FOCUS: Black Beauty / CARAVAN: Golf Girl / EPIDAURUS: Wings of the Dove / PINK FLOYD: Pigs. 
  I would like to thank all those who chose to spend their Sunday evening with our show. I hope you had some nice time.
Thank you!

Prog n Roll Radio show, including Kayak's new album presentation. (11/2/2018). The complete playlist.

Hello all!
  Last night, one more Prog n Roll radio show was online as usual. 
  This time, our show was including an interview we conducted with the leader and keyboard player of the Dutch band Kayak, Mr. Ton Scherpenzeel, mixed with some songs taken from Kayak's latest album, Seventeen. (Among other things of course). 
  We were also expecting Mr. Scherpenzeel to appear in our chatbox as our guest, but that never happened. As it seems, there has been a misunderstanding, and he didn't know that he had to be there, so he had other plans. But he told us that he was going to try to appear even for a while. But finally he couldn't make it.
  That was real pitty, because we had a good crowd listening, and some people were waiting to "meet" him.
  But despite that, we proceed with the show as planned, and I dare say it was a very interesting and enjoyable one! 
  Here you can take a look at the complete playlist:

1st Part: BIG BIG TRAIN: Judas Unrepentant / THE SAMURAI OF PROG: On We Sail / KAYAK: Somebody / BROKEN PARACHUTES: False Prophets.

2nd Part: Interview with Ton Scherpenzeel Pt.1 / KAYAK: Falling / ARENA: Tears in the Rain / THE FLOWER KINGS: Ghost of the Red Cloud / KAYAK: Walk Through Fire.

3rd Part: Interview with Ton Scherpenzeel Pt.2 / KAYAK: All that I Want / DRIFTING SUN: Soldiers / GANDALF’S FIST: Battle for Tannhouser Gate / KAYAK: Love Sail Away.

4rth Part: Interview with Ton Scherpenzeel Pt.3 / KAYAK: God on Our Side / CLIVE NOLAN: Stand Fast / KAYAK: La Peregrina.

 I would like to say a very big thanks to all those who chose to spend their evening with us and our show. I hope you had some nice time.
Thank you!

GFreedom's Juke Box No.215

Hello all!
  It is a beautiful rainy morning here in Athens, prefect for staying indoors. I will begin my day by sitting down on my PC in order to write my weekly Top-5 song list for you.
  So, from all the songs I've listened to during the week, I chose the following as best ones:
KAYAK: La Peregrina (Seventeen - 2018)
DAVID BOWIE: All the madmen (The Man who Sold the World - 1970)
JETHRO TULL: Baker street muse (Minstrel in the Gallery - 1975)
BIG BIG TRAIN: Judas Unrepentant (English Electric Pt.1 - 2012)
PSYCHOTIC WALTZ: I Remember (A Social Grace -1990)
In case you are interested, here's the YouTube links for you:
Enjoy!
KAYAK: La Peregrina
DAVID BOWIE: All the madmen
JETHRO TULL: Baker street muse
BIG BIG TRAIN: Judas Unrepentant
PSYCHOTIC WALTZ: I remember

Prog n Roll radio show welcomes KAYAK! (11/2/2018)

  I am writing this piece to inform you that, on Sunday the 11th of February, we are going to have on our chatbox Ton Scherpenzeel, the leader and keyboard player of the Dutch band Kayak, as special guest.
   During the 2 hours that Prog n Roll will be on air, we are going to play a few parts of the interview we conducted with him a few days ago, and we will listen to some songs from Kayak's latest - and excellent - album Seventeen, mixed with songs from other bands of course.
  We just finished with the playlist, and I dare say that it is a very good and enjoyable one.
  So, if you will be free and in the mood for some good music on this Sunday evening, tune in and listen to Prog n Roll. Our show is an online bilingual live broadcast and it begins at 20.00 UK time.
In order to listen, the only thing you have to do is to click on the following link, on the day and time I mentioned above.
www.justincaseradio.com
Thank you!

Prog n Roll Radio Show (4/2/2018). The complete playlist.

Hello all!
  Last night Prog n Roll radio show was on air once more as usual.
It was a rather relaxed and melodic show, and I believe that our listeners enjoyed it.
  This time we had nothing special prepared, so we could relax and enjoy the music together with our listeners.
We had listeners from many countries once more, but not so many like other times.
  This time, we included in the playlist some bands and artists that we are not playing so often in our show, just for a change.
  Speaking for myself, I believe that it was a very nice show in general, and the 2 hours passed quickly, with good music and the usual friendly and fun conversations on the chatbox.
  Here you can check the complete playlist:
1st Part: PAUL WELLER: If I could only be sure / STEVEN WALSH: Mercy on me / SERVANTS OF SCIENCE: Tedium Infinitum / THE PINEAPPLE THIEF: The one you left to die / MUSE: Knights of Cydonia.
2nd Part: HAPPY THE MAN: Serving with a smile / GROBSCHNITT: Morning Song / FRUUPP: Misty morning way / STRAWBS: Tears and Pavan / GENTLE GIANT: Three friends.
3rd Part: CREDO: The letter / FISH: A plague of ghosts (Pt.V&VI) / ASTRA: The river under.
4rth Part: EMTIDI: Love time rain / DULCIMER: Sonnet to the Fall / MATTHEW’S SOUTHERN COMFORT: Colorado springs eternal / FAIRPORT CONVENTION: The time is near / JETHRO TULL: Baker street muse.
  A very big thanks to all those who listened to our show once more. Next Sunday we will have something special prepared for you. I will announce it here in a few days. Be a bit patient please.
Thank you!

GFreedom's Juke Box No.214

Hello all!
  Another Saturday morning is here, so it's time to sit down and write my weekly Top-5 song list for you.
  This time, I listened to lots of music during the week, from many different styles and categories; therefore it wasn't easy to pick the songs for my list.
 But I believe that the following ones are some of the best:
KAYAK: Walk Through Fire (Seventeen - 2018)
FAIRPORT CONVENTION: The Time is Near (Babbacombe Lee - 1971)
MOSTLY AUTUMN: Sight of Day (Sight of Day - 2017)
MUSE: Knights of Cydonia (Black Holes & Revelations - 2006)
JETHRO TULL: Thick as a Brick Pt.1 (Thick as a Brick - 1972)
If you want to listen to the songs, just click on the following YouTube links.
Enjoy the music and have a great weekend!
Thank you!
KAYAK: Walk Through Fire
FAIRPORT CONVENTION: The Time is Near
MOSTLY AUTUMN: Sight of Day
MUSE: Knights of Cydonia
JETHRO TULL: Thick as a Brick Pt.1

KAYAK: Seventeen (2018). My review on a really great album!

  Kayak is a Dutch band that was formed in the early 70’s. The band was active from 1973 up to 1982, during which, they released 8 studio albums. In 1999, the band was re-formed and they are active since then.  
  Almost a month ago, they released their new studio album named as Seventeen; which, as you can understand, indicates that it is the band’s seventeenth studio album. Personally speaking, if I had to choose between their 2 periods, I would choose the 2^nd one, because their music has improved a lot during the last 17 years. 
  In 2014, they released the Rock opera ‘Cleopatra -  the Crown of Isis’, that was a really great album! If I remember well, I added ‘Cleopatra’ in my Top-10 album list of 2014. Because I was very pleased with that album, when I learned about the band’s new release, I knew that I had to add it to my collection!

  Seventeen is the band’s first studio album in their new company Inside Out; I don’t know if that had any impact on their music or not, but for me, Seventeen is one of their best works ever! From the ones I heard at least. (I have 7 albums by Kayak in my collection).

  In Seventeen, the band seems to be in great form, balance and inspiration, which is proven by the quality of the songs. Speaking about the band, I think that I should mention the participation of Andy Latimer of Camel as special guest, which is something important in my opinion.

  The album includes 12 songs and has a total running time of almost an hour. The 2 long  - over 10 minutes – songs that are included here can be characterized as the album’s highlights. But if you ask me, the whole album is a highlight by itself. I have it for almost 2 weeks now and I keep listening to it on and on. It is a wondeful piece of work, and with every new listen I discover something more in it.

  This is one of these albums that you listen from the beginning ‘till the end, without feeling the need to press ‘skip’. Every song has something to offer to the listener, from the simplest  3:00 minute long one, up to the far more complicated ‘epics’.

  But have in mind that, the album's general style can be characterised as Prog with Pop influences. Maybe the Hard-core Prog fans will not appreciate it that much. There are many short songs included here, soft and mellow, in the style of Supertramp let's say. 

  Seventeen is available in digital, CD and vinyl version, so it is easy to pick the one that might interest you. Personally, I would recommend the vinyl one, assuming that you have the equipment to play it of course. There are also a few special colored vinyl editions available. (Have in mind that the vinyl edition is also including the CD version).

  I am not going to mention the songs one by one; there is no need to do so. If you want my opinion, give this album a couple of listens, and decide by yourselves. For me, it is an excellent and very enjoyable album, and I’m perfectly happy with it! Although it is still very early, I'm pretty sure that, at the end of the year, it is going to be included in my annual top-10 album list for 2018.

Album's highlights: Somebody, La Peregrina, Falling, Walk Through Fire, Ripples on the Water, All that I Want, Love Sail Away, Cracks.

For all those reasons, I will rate it with 4.5 out of 5.0 stars.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgAWrbXgeUY 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cw1VMReLXDQ