Therion - Gothic Kabbalah |
Published Feb. 06 2007
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Disc 1: |
| Genre | Symph. Operatic Metal |
Mats Leven
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Vocals
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| Tracks | 14 |
Christofer Johansson
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Guitar
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| Runningtime | 83 Min. |
Kristian Niemann
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Guitar
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| Label | Nuclear Blast |
Johan Niemann
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Bass
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| Release | 06 Jan. 2007 |
Petter Karlsson
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Drums
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| Country | Sweden |
Ken Hensley
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Keyboard
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| Similar artists | Uriah Heep, Jethro Tull, Blackmore's Night | ||
Writing a praiseworthy assessment for Therion's latest undertaking has become quite a daunting task. I am so inspired by the majesty and mettle of main creator Christofer Johnsson, and his three treasures - multi-talented demonoid brothers Johan & Kristain Niemann and drummer Petter Karlsson. My voracity for veracity has kept me compelled to carefully invest every aspect of my being, that I may become immersed in the wisdom of the Gothic Kabbalah, so that I may fortell fortuitously this prophecy of pulchritude and puissance - the secret of the runes.
I am American and not Swedish, like my illustrious brethren of the metal covenant. To break the chain of my nervosa, and close up the streams of conscience, meant many hours researching the conceptual clandestine mysteries pertained, hence, within. I am a diligent runologist, though, so learning all about antiquarian and 17th century runic ancestor - Johannes Bureus (1568 - 1652), served to subsume me in the silent science of the Gothic Kabbalah. This mercurial mystic's journey is the icon of inspiration for the new Therion. This gnostic son of the slaves of time, is best remembered for being the progenitor of 40% of Swedish runic inscription, as well as the father of Swedish grammar. He edified and defined the runic rubric, being a polyglot, mastering seven fluent languages. Bureus solidified the solemnity of the Gothic Kabbalah - a mysterious, arcane union of Norse deities, astrology, magick, and alchemy. Believing himself to be the fulfillment of Parcelsus' prophecy, this philosopher king and self-acclaimed Great Lion of the North, served the archaic interests of Sweden's greatest king - Gustav II Adolf during the Thirty Years War; while instructing Queen Kristina in Gothicism. In the mystical realm of truth, Johannes Bureus is championed as the Father of Modern Gothicism.
After experiencing a profound interlocution while in Tuna 1613, Bureus began his lifelong path to academia, with his quest for the perennial sophia, as an initiate into her deeper mysteries. Predicting the culmination of an era, only 60 years nigh, he passed on 19 years premature to the feigned great apocalypse, misguided by voices and the delphic orphean dream of the eschaton. His lifelorn sojourn and revelation is the flail calling cornerstone by which Therion magistrate their mantle.
Christofer chose to postpone the trinity tale sequel of Lemuria/Sirius B, in a spontaneous gesture to gesticulate the Gothic Kabbalah. He also opted to relinquish his rite of vocal passage, to concentrate on his compositions. This is serious because the mega theory on which Christofer has performed in the past has been articulated and ennunciated through his voice vicissitudes. Now a new avenue of decisive induction is being transversed. A collaboration of gifted artists like Mats Leven, Snowy Shaw, and Uriah Heep's Ken Hensley yearn to visualize the lyrical genesis of genius historian - Thomas Karlsson. Front women - femme fatales - charismatic Katarina Lilja and handmaiden Hannah Holgersson adequately serve as the sopranists, who duel and duet with the male effigy incarnations.
On this blossoming yew tree of life, the musical variety has branched out into remarkable ramifications, which leave the listener longing and searching out his oaken roots of yore. In the balance, you will be hanging downcast, with one eye open seeking Sibylla and charisma's bliss. This platonic paradox of pleonasms and aural auguries, purely personifies; with the vital exilir of signature Therion ingredients all mixed into the melting pot essential. Therion transcends the masterstroke of darkness, illuminated by the voice of Vovin and the thrush of Theli.
The progressive 70's sound pervades with the retrograde folk elemental cross-eyed merry minstrel of Jethro Tull; the pulse of Queen's sheer heart attack ; or the Gaelic gel breakdown of Thin Lizzy, tinctured with a heep of pariahs livin' easy. All this sets the moog for a deep smoking watery sound like 1972's Machine Head, a strong release by Ritchie Blackmore and his strangely perfect band of space truckin' highway stargazers. Christofer has a certain fondness for this era of rock grandiose, which permeates the Therion soundscape. He is also influenced by early Celtic Frost and Voi Vod, who borrowed heavily from these heroes of the game. All this serves to stitch and sew the fabric of gothic grandiloquence, a woven tapestry of delight.
Subtracting the intense bombast of previous monstrous metaphors, this new effort embodies a more placid placation. Male and female discourse still dominate in delectible diatribes; while the guitar work and drumming reach a new pinnacle of poignancy, thereby occupying a more pronounced measure. Tuna 1613 and T. O. F. - The Trinity are excellent allusions to this metallic caste. In contrast, Trul and Sons Of The Staves Of Time have a more resounding renaissance. This planchette points to the writing on the wall, inscribed by Candace Night and her aforementioned husband and his band of winter carolers. Classical colloquialisms embelish with hints of Handel, Ravel, Stravinsky, as well as Modest Mussourgsky being the composers in compliance on cuts like The Perennial Sophia and Close Up The Streams, with its judicial endowment.
The culmination to this saga of ages, sagaciously assuages with Adulruna Redivivia. Here the grand scale epic aspects of Therion recapitulate and respond, screaming in Deggial. The choirs of the redeemed along with full symphony masses passionately orchestrate and anticipate. For die hard collectors, hopefully you can still obtain the limited edition tin box version with its numbered certificate of authenticity, limited to 500 copies, exclusively available only through Nuclear Blast mailorder distribution.
Overall, if you relish Therion, and savour their systematically symphonic style, then the Gothic Kabbalah will satiate the senses. There is just a hint of perfection, enveloped in enignmatic sustenance; an endeavor to enthrall and mesmerize the soul forever and ever with this argosy of talent, tiumphant. Therion raise the bar, elevating the listening experience, introducing a wonder of avarice and aurora borealis - beyond sanctorum.
See
also review of: Lemuria/Sirius
B , Secret Of The
Runes
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Performance
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Originality
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Production
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Vocals
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Songwriting
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9 |
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Summary
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8,5 chalices of 10 - Michael the MettleAngel |
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