Year : 2023
Style : Symphonic Operatic Metal
Country : Sweden
Audio : 320 kbps + all scans
Size : 124 mb
Bio:
Therion (formerly Blitzkrieg, Megatherion) 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" and was a title used by Occultist Aleister Crowley'.Originally a death metal band, Therion adjusted its musical style by adding orchestral elements, including choirs, classical musicians, and even a full orchestra at their concert performances. As a result, it has popularized the symphonic metal genre.In their biography, they state they have been cited as "the most adventurous metal band at present".Therion takes its themes from different mythologies and practices, including occultism, magic and ancient traditions and writings. Thomas Karlsson, the head and founder of the magical order Dragon Rouge, has provided lyrics for the band since 1996.On February 14, 2012, Therion announced it was recording a studio album and had planned a 25th Anniversary Tour.Les Fleurs du Mal was released on September 28.The album was not released by Nuclear Blast, but financed and released by Johnsson's own label, Adulruna. He calls Les Fleurs an "art project", which includes not only the music, but also special inlay graphics and video clips - later partly released on a limited edition DVD. The album consisted of covers of French chansons and pop songs that were performed in the band's style.On the release day the 25th Anniversary Tour was also started through Europe, also featuring the album's contributing keyboardist Stefan Jernståhl.On September 14, Johnsson posted a statement on the band's website about developing a rock metal opera, and that the band will not be doing any major tours or releasing studio albums.According this in 2013 the band played only at three minor summer festivals in Europe.In April 2013 this statement was reconsidered by Johnsson itself, and the Rock Opera Unveiled Tour was scheduled for December 2013 with 15 European gigs, to test the fans' acceptance on the new material. The main framework of these shows didn't only include excerpts from the future rock opera, but also the entire Vovin album due to its 15th anniversary.On February 21, 2014 two new releases were put on market: a deluxe edition of Theli - including three bonus tracks from A'arab Zaraq - Lucid Dreaming and a DVD with Theli's live performance - and a DVD set Adulruna Rediviva And Beyond with the 2007 Anniversary concert in Budapest and the 2011 Atlanta show.
Album:
Sweden's Therion have released nearly two dozen studio albums over the last 30-odd years, and their latest LP – Leviathan III – is the third and final entry in a trilogy that spans as many years. It's fair to say, then, that you'd be hard pressed to find a more prolific, reliable, and important symphonic death metal act around today.Fortunately, Leviathan III doesn't deserve acclaim simply because it validates the band's longevity and staggering work ethic; it deserves it because it's a really good record. Granted, it doesn't rewrite the rules or do anything substantially risky or fresh; however, its diversity and dependability make it another excellent chapter of Therion's catalog.Naturally, the LP contains the same lineup as its 2022 predecessor (which marked the return of drummer Sami Karppinen). Although no details have been revealed about its plot, it's fair to assume that Leviathan III caps off the mythological storyline 2021's Leviathan began. Plus, in a 2021 interview with Metal Insider, mastermind Christofer Johnsson clarified that while Leviathan was "very direct, very bombastic" and Leviathan II was "dark and melancholic," Leviathan III is meant to be "adventurous or experimental," with some "odd" tinges, "folk music influences… [and] more proggy influences."Without a doubt, the record fulfills those goals.To be fair, the journey begins somewhat conventionally—though still engagingly—with "Ninkigal," a frantic and complex amalgamation of guttural vocals, operatic choruses, and thunderous instrumentation. As usual, the flashiness and fluidity of the ever-changing arrangement is stunning, and the contrasts between Lori Lewis's soaring magnificence and Thomas Vikström's scratchy malevolence work wonders. In their own ways, subsequent pieces such as "Maleficium," "Nummo," and "Baccanale" do equally great jobs adhering to that general template.That said, it's often when the record spices things up the most that it shines brightest.Despite having a bit of heaviness, classical/folk ballad "Ruler of Tamag" is majorly beautiful and delicate. As such, it brings a valuable change of pace to the sequence and definitely ranks one of Therion's best songs in years. Similarly, the interlocking choral chants of "An Unsung Lament" enhance its inherently grand splendor, whereas "Ayahuasca" is a dense yet relatively straightforward duet that showcases additional singing styles and keyboard prowess.Johnsson's aforementioned plan also comes to fruition on "What Was Lost Shall Be Lost No More," in that it's surprisingly "proggy" not only because of its colorful and dynamic instrumentation but also because of its overlapping vocals. Afterward, the varied timbres and quasi-monologues of "Duende" and finale "Twilight of the Gods" make them seem as much like additional songs as like scenes from a play. They're exceptionally done.There's no reason why Therion fans shouldn't love Leviathan III just as much—if not more—that the first two entries in the saga (which is saying something considering the band's quick turnaround time). Beyond that, the fact that the sextet sounds this impassioned and inspired after over three decades is quite commendable, as they simultaneously stay true to what's always worked while shaking things up enough to be palpably daring and unpredictable. Wherever Therion goes from here, there's no doubt that they'll continue to be masters of their craft.
Line-Up:
Lori Lewis - Vocals (2011-present) - See also: ex-Aesma Daeva, ex-Symphonic Rhapsody of Queen (live)
Christofer Johnsson - Guitars, Keyboards (1988-present), Vocals (1988-2006), Programming (2006-present) - See also: Luciferian Light Orchestra, ex-Carbonized, ex-Procreation, ex-Demonoid, ex-Excruciate, ex-Messiah
Nalle Påhlsson - Bass (2008-present) - See also: The Experiment No.Q, Vindictiv, Luciferian Light Orchestra (live), Gathering of Kings, Hardcore Circus, Last Autumn's Dream, Zan Clan, ex-Animal, ex-Ludor (live), ex-Chris Laney, ex-Treat
Thomas Vikström - Vocals, Flute (2009-present) - See also: 7days, Dark Illusion, Mehida, Stormwind, Covered Call, Enlighted, ex-Candlemass, ex-Demon Angels, ex-Silent Memorial, ex-Tommy Vitaly, ex-Afterglow, ex-Brazen Abbot, ex-Talisman, ex-Talk of the Town, ex-Thomas Vikström, ex-Symphonic Rhapsody of Queen (live), ex-Vinnie Vincent Invasion (live)
Christian Vidal - Guitars (2010-present) - See also: Luciferian Light Orchestra (live), ex-Cuero, ex-Magnos, ex-The Road Vultures, ex-Symphonic Rhapsody of Queen (live)
Sami Karppinen - Drums (1998-2001, 2017-present) - See also: Curse, ex-Natsipaska, ex-Ruoska
Tracklist:
01. Ninkigal 03:06
02. Ruler of Tamag 06:44
03. An Unsung Lament 06:58
04. Maleficium 03:34
05. Ayahuasca 07:57
06. Baccanale 03:52
07. Midsommarblot 03:04
08. What Was Lost Shall Be Lost No More 03:59
09. Duende 04:18
10. Nummo 02:30
11. Twilight of the Gods 06:23
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