adg211288 Pandemonium (2013) is the debut full-length album by French symphonic power metal act Operadyse. The band previously released an EP, Hope Era Dies (2009) but as an act they've changed a little bit in the intervening years, most notably on Hope Era Dies they were a female fronted act whereas on Pandemonium they're fronted by Franck Garcia from the progressive metal act Spheric Universe Experience. Previous vocalist Jennifer Lassalle is still featured on the album as a guest however, although not in every song.

While Franck Garcia's presence on Pandemonium may attract the attention of fans of Spheric Universe Experience the music of the two acts really isn't really comparable. Operadyse is an epic symphonic power metal act whose music has absolutely nothing to do with the progressive metal scene that Franck Garcia has previously been associated with. Operadyse offers up a ton of speed in their riffs and some of the best symphonic elements I've ever heard from a band in this vein. Franck Garcia also proves very adept in the power metal environment of Operadyse. In fact I'd go as far to say I prefer his performance on Pandemonium to that on Spheric Universe Experience's most recent offering The New Eve (2012), possibly even overall.

Pandemonium isn't the sort of album to bring anything revolutionary to its genre, but for fans of the symphonic power metal style what we have here is an exceptional effort from Operadyse. Especially songs such as Celestial Sword, Keeper of the Flame and Fairies' Secret Garden are all excellent tracks but I think the special mention has to go to the Pandemonium title track, especially for its use of folksy symphonic melody, something the band subtly uses here and there in other songs but really comes out in Pandemonium. Not every song manages to be quite up to the same standard but there are none which end up detracting for the album. No cheesy non-metal ballads in other words, although the closing Frozen is just piano and female vocals it doesn't really come under the type of song I mean; just epic symphonic arrangements, fast riffs, quality musicianship and killer vocals.

Operadyse have produced a high quality debut in Pandemonium, one that is an easy pleaser for symphonic power metal fans everywhere and so a rating within the 4.5 stars bracket is deserved.

92/100

(Originally written for Heavy Metal Haven: http://metaltube.freeforums.org/operadyse-pandemonium-t3396.html)