Theli, by Therion.

*****

Words are tricky things, and I’m finding it hard to summon the right ones to do sufficient justice to this album. Listening to Theli isn’t just an audio experience, it’s piece of art to be absorbed with your full attention. Grandiose choirs lilt and rise against a carefully woven architecture of majestic strings, stirring keyboard melodies and marvellous guitars that are highlighted just so with neoclassical tones to both contrast and blend with these beautiful arrangements, all underpinned with sterling rhythm work that keeps the metal quota of this record firmly in the foreground, never to be over-swamped by the orchestra or choir. Christofer Johnsson is the Mozart of metal, blending his keen love of classical music and heavy metal with careless ease, a master artisan sculpting a tour de force that after twelve years, even Therion themselves have yet to better, never mind the competition. A complex and demanding listen this no doubt is, but one that avoids alienating upon your first listen through the sheer quality of musicianship on display and the artful, catchy hooks that are littered throughout this towering giant of an album. Further listens lead you on a wondrous journey to discover all the intricacies of this paragon of symphonic metal. Rousing, heartfelt, beautiful and essential, praise is something this album could never get enough of.

Formulas Fatal to the Flesh - Morbid Angel

*****

I didn't know what to expect going into Formulas Fatal to the Flesh. Was I going to find a healthy progression from the atrocity that was Altars of Madness? Or was I going to find more of the same? Thankfully, I didn't have to clog my ears with cotton wool this time round. Formulas is a three-man effort by Morbid Angel, featuring new vocalist and bassist Steve Tucker, who brings a deep, aggressive vocal assault on the classic Morbid Angel formula of wild guitar solos, detuned riffs and blistering double bass. Formulas is a much more refined and clean record than Altars of Madness, while maintaining the speed and brutality, in essence showing the maturing writing style of Azagthoth, who writes well over half of the songs. The solos are, in typical Azagthoth fashion, chaotic, with a shedload of whammy abuse and two-handed tapping. Formulas is a very underrated album, but definately lives as one of Morbid Angel's classic albums and one worth checking out for the Death Metal connoisseur.

Must Download: "Heaving Earth", "Bill Ur-Sag"

On the Wings of Phoenix, by Symbyosis

*****

Technical, hook laden riffs.
Check.
Articulate, note perfect solos (No really, they are perfection!)
Check.
Beguiling, complementive bass lines.
Check.
Stylish, jazzy, impressive drum work.
Check.
Excellent definable death growls and understated, memorable keyboard and choral flourishes.
Double check.
Symbyosis are definitely ticking all the right boxes here and straight from the get go, the progressive touches of On the Wings of Phoenix set out to challenge you while remaining extremely listenable, producing a sonic medley of melodic death metal ingenuity that commands your full attention. If I was to mention nothing else, I simply must make note of Nikos Kevorkian and Franck Kobolt, a rather formidable guitar duo. While you can hear various influences in their fret work, they sound fresh, very much with a sound all their own, which is something to be commended in a market full of factory made melodic death. In fact every member of this band puts in a stunning, virtuoso performance. Whats more, this is a double album, with the second disc, titled Phoenix Ashes, containing some very entertaining covers, B Sides, remixes and most importantly the continuation of the “Crusades” saga, a masterpiece suite of songs started on their fist EP, The Fluid. This is nothing more or less than truly distinguished, absorbing metal of the highest order that while deceptively simple, remains hard for me to describe, leaving me with no more words to say except if you don’t check this out, you’re depriving yourself of something extraordinarily special.