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"Madness or genius, only time will tell. What is certain is that Therion offers us with "Beloved Antichrist" a gargantuan metal opera of incredible richness."
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4/5
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It's been more than 7 years since Therion has released an album if we put aside "Les Fleurs du Mal" and its covers of yé-yé songs which has not been well understood. Christofer Johnsson has been sick and took the time to compose his dream. The idea of this rock opera was born a long time ago and has been maturing quietly since the end of 2012 in parallel with other projects. The wait is over and "Beloved Antichrist" is here.
And it is monumental! By its duration, more than three hours, its 46 titles and its 29 singers, we have here a work out of the ordinary from a commercial point of view. Before listening to it, we must above all forget what we know about metal operas. Johnsson wrote a three-act opera based on Vladimir Soloviev's book "A Short Tale About The Antichrist", written in 1899, which sees a young man receiving the spirit of the Antichrist and trying to unify religions. It takes a certain attention and a real love of lyrical and symphonic metal to immerse oneself in this work and understand it. Listening to it in one go would be a mistake and could probably disgust even the most hardened amateurs.
The story is discovered act by act, just as one discovers a work of art, far from the classical musical standards. The care given to the whole is remarkable, one can only appreciate the fluidity and variety of the songs, the strength of the music and this strong feeling of plunging into this story. It would be pointless to bring out this or that title. Each act is experienced as a block with twists, surprises and a rise in power with a remarkable sense of tragedy and suspense. Musically, the marriage of styles is perfectly done with a discreet metallic side but knowing how to accompany stronger moments of the story.
Listening to this record, you realise that it is made to be watched with all the characters, a set and a staging. In the face of such excessiveness, "Beloved Antichrist" could become a cursed and misunderstood album but it would be a blatant injustice in view of its quality and emotional strength. - Official website
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TRACK LISTING:
01. Turn From Heaven
02. Where Will You Go?
03. Through Dust Through Rain
04. Signs Are Here
05. Never Again
06. Bring Her Home
07. The Solid Black Beyond
08. The Crowning Of Splendour
09. Morning Has Broken
10. Garden Of Peace
11. Our Destiny
12. Anthem
13. The Palace Ball
14. Jewels From Afar
15. Hail Caesar
16. What Is Wrong?
17. Nothing But My Name
18. The Arrival Of Apollonius
19. Pledging Loyalty
20. Night Reborn
21. Dagger Of God
22. Temple Of New Jerusalem
23. The Lions Roar
24. Bringing The Gospel
25. Laudate Dominum
26. Remaining Silent
27. Behold Antichrist
28. Cursed By The Fallen
29. Résurrection
30. To Where I Weep
31. Astral Sophia
32. Thy Will Be Done
33. Shoot Them Down
34. Beneath The Starry Skies
35. Forgive Me
36. The Wasteland Of My Heart
37. Burning The Palace
38. Prelude To War
39. Day Of Wrath
40. Rise To War
41. Time Has Come / Final Battle
42. My Voyage Carries On
43. Striking Darkness
44. Seeds Of Time
45. To Shine Forever
46. Thème Of Antichrist
LINEUP:
Chiara Malvestiti: Chant
Christian Vidal: Guitares
Christofer Johnsson: Guitares / Claviers
Kristian Niemann: Guitares
Linnea Vikstrom: Chant
Lori Lewis: Chant
Nalle Påhlsson: Basse
Sami Karppinen: Chant / Batterie
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(0) MIND(S) FROM OUR READERS
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Top of the page
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(1) COMMENT(S)
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READERS
3.4/5 (5 view(s))
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STAFF:
3.5/5 (2 view(s))
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IN RELATION WITH THERION
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OTHER REVIEWS
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OTHER(S) REVIEWS ABOUT THERION
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