THERION Leviathan II | Weekly Heavy Metal Album Review

Released by Nuclear Blast Records on October 28th, 2022

Quick Background

Therion is a Swedish symphonic metal band founded by Christofer Johnsson in 1987. Its name was inspired by the Celtic Frost album To Mega Therion. "To Mega Therion" is Greek for "The Great Beast". Originally a death metal band, Therion adjusted its musical style by adding orchestral elements, including choirs, classical musicians, and even a full orchestra at some concert performances. As a result, they are considered pioneers of the symphonic metal genre. 1996's Theli is their masterpiece and one of my favorite albums of all times. But its 1998's Vovin is their most commercially successful album. 

Leviathan II

Leviathan II is the 18th album from the Sweden's symphonic metal pioneers. Named after a giant sea monster from Judeo-Christian myth, Leviathan II follows up the part I released in 2021. As it was the case with Part I, Part II is a simple, straightforward album, 11 relatively short songs in just over 45 minutes. So basically we are being tricked into another triple album, but I appreciate that being released as 3 albums. It will make it much easier to digest them. Part III is expected to be released next year and should be more guitar oriented and heavier. Remember that Part I was a "back to the roots" album and I thought it was a very good one. Part II follows a similar concept, but focus more on the Vovin era with less focus on guitar and riffs and more on the female singers, choirs and orchestration. "Aeon of Maat" for example gives me a "Wine Of Aluqah" vibe. But it's not a song that fully represents the album. Why? Because it is more hard rock oriented than most of the album. On the other hand, it already shows the dominance of female choirs and singers on this album. I really like the guitar focus of this song and also the contrast between the female singers and the hard rock male voice. I just feel the song to be too short, almost rushed to be concluded. The single "Codex Gigas" builds up from this beautiful melancholic melody into a mid tempo gothic song which is full of emotions and melodies. It's another example of great male/female vocal balance. It's the perfect bridge to another single and album closer "Pazuzu". This one is a rocker and written for the male singer to take center stage. "Lucifuge Rofocale" and "Midnight Star" featuring a nice guitar work are also hard rock songs.

Conversely, the single "Litany of the Fallen" doubles down the focus on the female singers. It's really the theme of this album, "Alchemy of the Soul" is another example. Both songs are short and fast tempo. Another single "Marijin Min Nar" and "Hades and Elysium" focus on the symphonic elements and choirs. The cool thing with "Marijin Min Nar" are the many guitar solos underneath, at moments sounds like Malsmsteen is a guest player. It also features this eastern music flavor. 

The Picky Guy

But not everything works on Part II. "Lunar Coloured Fields" for example is a very mellow ballad that goes on for a bit too long. Then "Cavern Cold as Ice" feels a bit too poppy for my taste. Other than that the only complain is that the album is pretty safe and doesn't add much to their discography growth.  

Wrap Up Opinion 

But it does add some cool tunes to their setlist and helps the band to remain relevant after all those years. So, if you are a Therion fan of any of their phases, then you will enjoy this one. I'm actually surprised of so many low rates I have seen for this release. To me it is an 81/100, good album that delivers what Therion intended to do with quality and energy. 

SCORE: 81/100

Genre: Symphonic Metal

Released by Nuclear Blast Records on October 28th, 2022

Rating System

99 - 100 Perfect
94 - 98 Excellent
87 - 93 Great
82 - 86 Very Good
77 - 81 Good
66 - 76 Mixed
58 - 65 Bad

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AVANTASIA A Paranormal Evening with the Moonflower Society | Weekly Heavy Metal Album Review

Released by Nuclear Blast Records on October 21st, 2022

Quick Background

Avantasia is a German supergroup metal opera project created by Tobias Sammet, vocalist of the band Edguy. It has been characterized as a rock opera, as it features the contributions of various vocalists and musicians and it consists of concept albums. Conceived in 1999 as studio-only, two-album project, Avantasia has since released six other studio albums and has toured the world multiple times.

A Paranormal Evening with the Moonflower Society

Their ninth studio album doesn't bring any surprises and it's similar and at par with its predecessor Moonglow (2019). We have the return of singers who have been on several albums: Michael Kiske (23 songs since the first album), Bob Catley (13) and Jørn Lande (22). Ronnie Atkins, Geoff Tate and Eric Martin who have been in most of the last albums are also back. And the new comers are Floor Jansen with two songs and Ralf Scheepers in one.  Tobias Sammet sings in all tracks of course and always with just one other vocalist, except for the closer "Arabesque" which features both Kiske and Lande. So we have 9 singers, 11 songs in 54 minutes. 

As with the last two album, A Paranormal opens again with Meat Loaf-like song, "Welcome To The Shadows". It's also with Tobby as the only lead singer accompanied by a lot of backing vocals and choirs. Track number two was the first single named "The Wicked Rule the Night". This is a fast tempo 80's power metal beast, think of Judas Priest, so consequently the debut singer Ralf Scheepers was the perfect choice to bring that Rob Halford flavor to Avantasia. It also reminds me a lot of Edguy's "Mysteria".

"Kill The Pain Away" is a tailor made song for Floor Janssen, and what I love about it is the fact that it's a powerful fast tempo rocker. I hate the stereotype of using female singers for ballads only, here she like she does in Nightwish or After Forever she demonstrates a powerful but beautiful voice. She is my favorite female singer who doesn't use harsh voice or death metal growls.  It's great to see her in yet another track "Misplaced Among The Angels" which happens to surprisingly be my favorite despite being almost a ballad. I just love the chorus, the vocal melodies and of course Foor's contribution. 

The long time contributors Kiske and Lande are featured in "The Inmost Light" and "I Tame the Storm" respectively. Both are typical and straightforward Avantasia power metal songs that are well crafted for their singers. Another long time contributor Bob Catley returns to sing the title track which has a Van Halen flavor to it specially due to the guitar work during the intro. And as usually in a Catley song, it features a big and epic chorus. 

"Arabesque" closes the album and as the epic 10-min song with 3 singers (Toby, Kiske and Lande) is one of my favorites. I actually wish the album had more songs like this one. It's a dynamic song full of different passages, it gives this middle eastern flavor due to the use of the Phrygian scale. It's just great progressive power metal stuff.  

The Picky Guy

While I am happy there's no female singer ballad on this album, there is a ballad still, "Paper Plane" featuring Ronnie Atkins from Pretty Maids. I really don't like this song which is pity as Atkins has sang some great songs in previous albums. Other than that my only disappointment is that the album seems to be very formulated, in the sense of structure, choices, guests are all very similar to recent albums. Maybe that's intentional to create a 4 album consistent era of Avantasia. In that case I hope to see something a little bit different in the next album. But as always, that's just me being picky. 

Wrap Up Opinion 

Overall it's another very good power metal album from Avantasia. There are no surprises really, but it's fun, well written and executed. To me all songs but one are good to very good. The guests singers have all delivered great performances and the addition of Floor and Ralf was spot on. All in all, 82/100, very good album, anyone who enjoyed the last four albums will like this one and any power metal fan should give it a try.

SCORE: 82/100

Genre: Power Metal

Released by Nuclear Blast Records on October 21st, 2022

Rating System

99 - 100 Perfect
94 - 98 Excellent
87 - 93 Great
82 - 86 Very Good
77 - 81 Good
66 - 76 Mixed
58 - 65 Bad

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