arcane-beautiful When it comes to double albums, I think the best method is making them short and sweet (basically longer than a normal album), and this is the perfect example. With near 90 minutes of music, this album is easily digestable and overall, one hell of an album. This is the album where everything just clicked for me. At times Therion can be a double edged sword, but this was the perfect balance between metal and opera.

With a weird concept about a librarian (weird) and runes and stuff, the songs do excell at high rates. There isn't a bad song on it really.

Perfect album with the best line up they've ever had (especially vocal wise, with both Mats Levin & Snowy Shaw)

CD 1

1. Der Mitternachtslöwe - The perfect balance. Amazing vocal performances and a great chorus. 10/10

2. Gothic Kabbalah - Love the chorus and the flute work is fantastic. 10/10

3. The Perennial Sophia - Has quite a doomy vibe to it and sounds a bit like HIM or Type O Negative. Great chorus. 9/10

4. Wisdom & The Cage - I love how this song changes so much. From the amazing vocals from Mats to the calm section that follows. Brilliant. 9/10

5. Son Of The Staves Of Time - Best song on the album, and one of the greatest metal songs ever made. This song has to be heard to be believed. The amazing vocals from Mats, and the epic beauty of the whole song. The video for the song is also worth checking out. 10/10

6. Tuna 1613 - Another perfect balance. Suprisingly cathcy and some serious riffing is involved. 10/10

7. Trul - My brother's favourite Therion song, and I can' disagree with him, this song does rule. With the female vocals that are just heavenly, to the chanty chorus and the Jethro Tull like instrumental section, this is one charter moment on the album. 10/10

8. Close Up The Streams - The riff in this song just rocks like a mofo. Weird chorus and some odd instrumental work adds to the grandness of the song. 10/10

CD 2

1. The Wand Of Abaris - This song is weird, but nonthless specataculaire. The chorus does have an odd contrapnuntal harmony with falesto male vocals, but it is incredbily infectious. 10/10

2. 3 Treasures - Love how well this song flows, and again provides a perfect balance. 8/10

3. Path To Arcady - Where Opera becomes interesting. 9/10

4. TOF - The Trinity - This song is mainly instrumental, but the guitar work is amazing. 9/10

5. Chain Of Minerva - This song would be amazing, if the lyrics weren't so stupid, yes, eagles don't eat flies. 9/10

6. The Falling Stone - The most power metal song on the album. Amazing vocal work and a great anthemic chorus. 10/10

7. Adulruna Rediviva - Therion's most longest and epic song. This is one mother of a song, with dramatic twists and turns and spine tingly moments at every turn. The perfect endings.

CONCLUSION: In my opinion their best album, I need to get aload more, and so do you!