THERION — Secret of the Runes (review)

THERION — Secret of the Runes album cover Album · 2001 · Symphonic Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
4/5 ·
arcane-beautiful
For those that don't know Therion is actually a band, with no real lead vocalists, but a revolving door of amazing metal vocalists and operatic singers. This album I wasn't very fond of (I still loved it), because it focused too much on the operatic element rather than find the perfect balance between the 2.

This album is also conceptually based on Norse mythology, and went into detail behind creation and the real mythos, rather than the stereotypical mythos that shudders that great belief.

I would recomend this album mainly for one thing, the Abba cover at the end. I love Abba, especially the song Summernight City, but this is the greatest cover I have ever heard of an Abba song. Although the rest of the album is also worth the price alone.

1. Ginnungagap - The guitar riffs are like punches in the face. The vocals are great as well, very epic indeed. 9/10

2. Midgård - The vocals are amazing, especially the solo soprano. Beautiful arrangement. 9/10

3. Asgård - The vocal harmonies are beautifull. Obvious folk influence. Very battle metal. 9/10

4. Jotunheim - Great arrangment. The vocals are hilarious though. 8/10

5. Schwarzalbenheim - Sounds like if Ramstein where to do Opera. Some amazing vocal arrangements and odd melodies. 9/10

6. Ljusalfheim - Very cheesy. Some pretty interesting instrumental work. 7/10

7. Musphelheim - I like the vocal pedal at the start. Pretty kick ass riffing. 9/10

8. Nifelheim - Love the contrapuntal vocals. Best song on the album. 10/10

9. Vanaheim - Some more folk influences. Love the vocals in this song. Very kick ass. 9/10

10. Helheim - The lead soprano again shows off some amazing throat work. Love the vocal melodies. 9/10

11. Secret Of The Runes - Pretty cool ending. Some powerfull vocals. 8/10

CONCLUSION: Pretty interesting album, with some fantastic vocal work, but Therion do excel better when both Operatic and powerfull Metal vocals are mixed.

arcane-beautiful
Share this review
more

Review Comments

Post a public comment below | Send private message to the reviewer
Please login to post a shout
No shouts posted yet. Be the first member to do so above!

Review Index

Member Zone

Username:
Password:
Stay signed in

Metal Subgenres

Artists Alpha-index

MMA TOP 5 Metal ALBUMS

Rating by members, ranked by custom algorithm
Albums with 30 ratings and more
Master of Puppets Thrash Metal
METALLICA
Buy this album from our partners
Paranoid Heavy Metal
BLACK SABBATH
Buy this album from our partners
Moving Pictures Hard Rock
RUSH
Buy this album from our partners
Powerslave NWoBHM
IRON MAIDEN
Buy this album from our partners
Rising Heavy Metal
RAINBOW
Buy this album from our partners

New Metal Artists

New Metal Releases

Fossil Gardens Black Metal
HAIL SPIRIT NOIR
Buy this album from MMA partners
Из Чего Я Состою Crust Punk
MARIE GUELLA
Buy this album from MMA partners
Surowica / Slavenkust Hardcore Punk
SLAVENKUST
Buy this album from MMA partners
Surowica / Slavenkust Crust Punk
SUROWICA
Buy this album from MMA partners
Nie Wydarzy Się Crust Punk
SUROWICA
Buy this album from MMA partners
More new releases

New Metal Online Videos

In Sulfur - The Gate (OFFICIAL VIDEO) 2022
IN SULFUR
Bosh66· 21 hours ago
In Sulfur - Parasite (OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO)
IN SULFUR
Bosh66· 21 hours ago
In Sulfur - Abysmal Grave (OFFICIAL LYRIC VIDEO)
IN SULFUR
Bosh66· 21 hours ago
In Sulfur - Windchaser(OFFICIAL VIDEO)
IN SULFUR
Bosh66· 21 hours ago
In Sulfur - From Green/To Grey (OFFICIAL VIDEO)
IN SULFUR
Bosh66· 21 hours ago
More videos

New MMA Metal Forum Topics

More in the forums

New Site interactions

More...

Latest Metal News

members-submitted

More in the forums

Social Media

Follow us
Follow us on Twitter Become a Facebook fan RSS Feed